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GENEALOGY
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https://archive.org/details/historyofharfordOOpres
HISTORY
OF
HARFORD COUNTY
MARYLAND
FROM 1608
(THE YEAR OF SMITH’S EXPEDITION)
TO THE CLOSE OF THE WAR OF 1812
BY
WALTER W. PRESTON, A. M.
BEL AIR, MARYLAND
Happy he whom neither wealth nor fashion
Nor the march of the encroaching city.
Drives an exile, from the earth of his ancestral homestead.
1901
Press of Sun Book Office
Baltimore, Md.
Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1901
by Walter W. Preston in the Office of the Librarian
of Congress at Washington, D. C.
±±27483
CONTENTS
Chapter I.
The First View . . . Smith Comes to the Susquehanna
from Virginia . . . Maps the Shore and gives an account of
the Indians . . . Giant Indian seen near Stafford . . . Pool’s
Island . . . Smith’s Falls . . . Climate . . . Willoughby
or Bush River . . . Clayborne . . . Palmer’s Island . . . Col.
Nathaniel Utie . . . Treaty with the Indians . . . Harford a
District of Baltimore County.
Chapter II.
Early Settlements . . . Thomas Thurston . . . Old houses
. . . Some tracts of Land of Jacob Giles, Col. White, Aquila
Paca, Daniel Scott, James Preston, John Stump, David Bis-
set, Samuel Gover, John Hall, Wm. Bradford, Wm. McComas,
John McComas.
Chapter III.
Old Court Houses . . . Maryland Colony and England . . .
Remote from events of Mother Country . . . County Seat on
Bush River . . . Some Old Minutes of Court . . . Wm. Os-
borne . . . County Seat Removed to Gunpowder ... To
Joppa . . . Growth and Decline of Joppa . . . Baltimore on
the Patapsco.
Chapter IV.
Customs and Manners prior to Revolution . . . Slavery
. . . . Primitive Conditions . . . The Lawyer . . . Doctor . . .
Schoolmaster . . . Life of a Physician before the Revolution
.... Domestic Customs.
iii
Chapter V.
Organization of Harford County . . . Inconvenience on ac-
count of Removal of County Seat to Baltimore . . . Petition
for New County . . . Henry Harford . . . Act for Formation
of new County.
Chapter VI.
Organization of County, continued . . . First Records . . .
Swearing in Lord Justices . . . Appointment of Clerk, Sheriff
and State’s Attorney . . . Division of County into Hundreds,
and Appointment of Constables. . . . First Grand Jury . . .
First Petit Jury . . . County Seat at Harford Town or Bush.
Chapter VII.
Bel Air Chosen County Seat . . . Other Places Voted for
. . . Another Election called . . . Scott’s Old Field or Bel Air
wins again . . . Aquila Scott of James Conveys land in Bel
Air to County . . . Court House at Bel Air . . . Orders for
Opening Roads, &c. . . . Harford the Chief Section of Balti-
more County . . . First two County Seats in Harford.
Chapter VIII.
Selections from Old Records . . . Tavern Licenses . . .
Grand and Petit Juries . . . Luther Martin admitted to Prac-
tice at Harford Bar . . . Tavern Rates . . . Road Supervisors
. . . . Court House at Bel Air Occupied . . . First Judges
. . . Description of Building . . . Burning of Old Court
House and Construction of Present Building.
Chapter IX.
Old Records, continued . . . Wm. Pinkney Locates at Bel
Air . . . Basis of Assessment . . . Tax rate . . . Members of
the Bar in 1796 . . . Juries . . . Robert Amos, Jr., Sheriff . . .
Judges of Election . . . John Lee Gibson resigns as Clerk . . .
Henry Dorsey of Edward Appointed Clerk.
IV
Chapter X.
Signs of the Revolution . . . Importation Act . . . Stamp
Act . . . The Peggy Stewart . . . The American Association
. . . Concord and Lexington . . . Annapolis Convention of
June, 1774 . . . Harford Representatives . . . Convention at
Bush . . . Resolutions . . . Association of the Freemen of
Maryland.
Chapter XI.
Harford in the Revolution . . . People of New County alive
to Public Affairs . . . Favorable Location of County Seat at
Bush . . . Great Men Passing Along . . . Harford Declaration
of Popular Rights.
Chapter XII.
The Revolution Continued . . . Enrollment of County Mili-
tia .. . The Flying Camp . . . Alex. Lawson Smith’s Har-
ford Company at the Battle of Fort Washington.
Chapter XIII.
Lafayette’s Expedition through Harford, 1781 . . . Officers
of the Command . . . Lafayette Spends Night at House of
Col. James Rigby, near Darlington . . . Alex. Hamilton . . .
Proclamation Against Desertion . . . Aquila Deaver . . . An
Anecdote of the Expedition . . . Captains Greme and Gimat.
Chapter XIV.
Old Churches . . . Spesutie . . . The Catholic Church.
Bethel.
Chapter XV.
Old Churches Continued . . . Presbyterian Church at
Churchville . . . Cokesbury Methodist College and Church
. . . Harford Baptist Church . . . The Friends in Harford.
Chapter XVI.
Biographical —
William Paca . . . Dr. John Archer . . . Col. Thomas
White . . . Benj. Bradford Norris.
Chapter XVII.
Biographical Continued.
Rev. John Coleman . . . William Bradford . . . John
Stump, of Stafford . . . William Smithson . . . Aquila Hall
. . . William Morgan . . . Col. Ignatius Wheeler . . . Col.
John Streett.
Chapter XVIII.
The War of 1812 . . . National Conditions . . . Weak Fed-
eral Government . . . Valuable Assistance from France . . .
Fort McHenry . . . North Point . . . Captain John A. Web-
ster, Col. Wm. Smith and Col. John Streett, all of Harford,
Assist in the Defense of Baltimore . . . Sketch of Capt. Web-
ster . . . British Attack Upon Havre de Grace . . . John
O’Neill . . . Col. Smith’s Forty-second Regiment.
Chapter XIX.
Havre de Grace. . . . Origin of the Name . . . Early
Description . . . Organization as a Town . . . First Town
Commissioners . . . Proceedings . . . Returns of Election.
Chapter XX.
Miscellaneous —
Harford Pensioners from the Revolution . . . Solicitors of
Subscription to Association of Freemen of Maryland . . .
Early Iron Works . . . Gov. Paca and Gov. Bradford . . .
Harford Militia Companies . . . Harford Statistics, 1798 . . .
Court Officers and Juries, 1800 . . . Same, 1803-1806 . . .
Nuncupative Will of Joseph Butler, Lieutenant in Smallwood’s
Regiment, Killed at Battle of Long Island . . . Marriage Cer-
tificate of John Worthington and Priscilla Wilson, 1769 . . .
My Lady’s Manor . . . Bel Air Academy.
Appendix.
Minutes of Harford Revolutionary Committees . . . Mem-
bers of House of Delegates from Harford . . . Sheriffs . . .
Members of Congress . . . Registers of Wills . . . Clerks of
Circuit Court . . . Constitutional Conventions.
vii
PREFACE
Acknowledgment is due to the following persons
who have given assistance in the preparation of this
work, viz : Mr. S. W. Bradford, Mr. J. T. C. Hop-
kins, Mr. Charles W. Michael, Mr. P. H. Rutledge,
Mr. J. M. Streett, Mr. F. E. Gorrell, Rev. Dr. Wm. F.
Brand, Capt. C. A. Conner, the Bel Air Times, Mr. E.
M. Allen, Mr. Thomas E. Bond, Rev. Father J. A.
Frederick, Mr. Nathan Grafton, Mr. A. H. Hull, Mr.
George Y. Maynadier, and others.
Numerous quotations are made from Scharfs and
Bozman’s histories of Maryland, and from Johnston’s
History of Cecil County. In many cases information
could not be obtained for a proper narrative. For in-
stance, the War Department at Washington will not
permit copies of their records to be made, and for this
reason, no full roster of Colonel Smith’s regiment or
Colonel John Streett’s command in the war of 1812,
could be given. The account of the old houses is
very fragmentary and incomplete, as the records throw
no light on them and tradition is meagre and always
unreliable.
The sketch of Spesutie church is taken from the
pamphlet history by Rev. S. W. Crampton; that of
Bethel, from the historical paper by Rev. Andrew B.
Cross ; that of Cokesbury, from the article of Dr. Ber-
nard C. Steiner, and the Churchville Presbyterian
church from the history of Rev. W. T. L. Keiffer
Father Frederick, of St. Ignatious church, Hickory,
kindly furnished the data for the chapter on the Catho-
lics of Harford.
Mr. Nathan Grafton assisted in the sketch of the
Harford Baptist church. For the chapter on The
Friends in Harford, I am indebted to Mr. A. H. Hulk
Although this work was intended to be brought only
through the war of 1812, some of the subjects are car-
ried further. In the collection of the data, in many
instances, the information came down to this period,
and having the material on hand, the whole is pub-
lished. This is the case with the lists of county offi-
cials, and in the sketches of some of the churches.
If this volume should be acceptable to the public, the
author may at some future day publish a second vol-
ume, bringing the narrative down to the present time.
The illustrations were furnished by Mr. Wm. G.
Hooker, of Abingdon.
INTRODUCTION
There has never been published a history of Harford
county. Short sketches of particular events have been
occasionally printed, but for the most part they have
been lost in obscurity, and thus far no one has found it
convenient to put the available material into book form.
My purpose is to gather some of the earlier records
into collective shape so that they may be accessible
without an examination into original materials. As
this is the pioneer work in this direction, the usual
errors of a first publication are to be expected. It is
to be hoped that these errors are not too numerous ;
at all events, an honest and conscientious effort has
been made, at the expense of considerable time and
labor, to render an accurate account of the doings of
our forefathers in the early days, so far as it has oc-
curred to me they would prove interesting. Numerous
references will be made to the histories of Maryland
heretofore published, but the reader will not be bur-
dened with much of the general history of the State,
except so far as it may directly concern the people of
Harford county. Although the chronicles of this
county are modest and unassuming, there are many
things in the lives of our ancestors of which their de-
scendants may be justly proud.
While it does not seem to me that any county is suffi-
ciently pretentious for a very elaborate work on its his-
tory, or much effort at literary effect, yet in this day
of awakening historical interest, Harford is entitled to
have drawn, if only in a slight degree, the veil which
has enveloped the past, so that the example of her
earlier sons may be a guide and inspiration for the
present and the future.
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY
CHAPTER I.
THE FIRST VIEW.
SMITH COMES TO THE SUSQUEHANNA FROM VIRGINIA — MAPS THE
SHORE AND GIVES ACCOUNT OF THE INDIANS — GIANT INDIAN
SEEN NEAR STAFFORD — POOL'S ISLAND — SMITHES FALLS — CLI-
MATE— WILLOUGHBY, OR BUSH RIVER — CLAYBORNE — PAL-
MER'S ISLAND COLONEL NATHANIEL UTIE — TREATY WITH
INDIANS — HARFORD A DISTRICT OF BALTIMORE COUNTY.
Harford was not organized into a county until the
year 1774, in accordance with the act of the Legisla-
ture which had been passed the year before. At that
time the present territory of the county was fairly well
settled ; the population, including blacks, amounted to
thirteen thousand people; roads had been laid out,
bridges made, churches built and our progenitors lived
in a peaceful and well-governed section as citizens of
Baltimore county. There are a number of buildings
now standing that were constructed long before the
county was organized, and there were many occur-
rences of interest that happened prior to the time the
territory had its present name. The county of Balti-
more, comprising also the land contained within the
14 HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
present limits of Harford, was formed in 1659, and the
proclamation of June 6, 1674, declared that its south-
ern boundaries should be the “south side of the Patap-
sco river, and from the highest plantations on that side
of the river due south two miles into the woods. ”
This also included Cecil county, which was almost
immediately (1674) separately organized and its boun-
daries given as extending “from the mouth of the Sus-
quehanna river down the eastern side of the bay to
Swan Point, thence to Hell Point, and so up Chester
river to the head thereof,” which latter bounds were
somewhat changed by the act of 1706, which declared
that Cecil county should contain all the lands on the
north side of the Sassafras River and Kent county.
So it will be seen that both Harford and Cecil counties
were formerly a part of Baltimore.
The boundaries, organization and first establishment
of the government for Harford as a county in 1773-4
will be given in detail in a later part of this work.
But before coming to that poinit, a sketch of the
doings of the people who lived in the present limits of
Harford in colonial days, and brought the land from a
wilderness to a prosperous community, during the one
hundred and sixty-five years from its discovery in 1608
by Capt. John Smith, to 1774, the date of its formation,
cannot fail to prove interesting to all who care for Har-
ford history.
Discovery and First Description.
The first white man to visit the upper part of Chesa-
peake bay and Harford county and make a map of the
country, was Capt. John Smith, who made two voyages
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
15
in an open boat from Jamestown in Virginia. This
was the same Captain Smith who was rescued by Poca-
hontas in the romantic story related in all the histories
of Virginia. Captain Smith had become dissatisfied
with the dissensions in the Virginia colony and deter-
mined to make a voyage of discovery further up the
bay. On his first expedition, which lasted nineteen
days, he did not journey further than the Patapsco,
which he called the river Bolus, but on the 24th of
July, 1608, he set forth from Jamestown with twelve
men to make additional discoveries. The following is
from the account of Smith’s expedition on which he
came to the upper part of the bay and Harford county :
The twenty-fourth of July, Captaine Smith set forward to
finish the discovery with twelve men; their names were Nath-
aniel Powell, Thomas Momford, Richard Featherstone, Mich-
ell Sicklemore, James Bourne, Anthony Bagnell, Chir. Gentle-
men.
Jonas Profit, Anas Todkill, Edward Pising, Richard Keale,
James Watkins, William Ward, souldiers.
The wind being contrary caused our stay two or three days
at Kecoughtan (now called Hampton, in Virginia) ; the king
feasted us with much mirth, his people were persuaded we
went purposely to be revenged of the Massawomeks. In the
evening we fired a few rackets, which flying in the ayre so ter-
rified the poor savages, they supposed nothing impossible we
attempted ; and desired to assist us. The first night we an-
chored at Stingray Isle. The next day we crossed Patawo-
meks river and hastened to the river Bolus. We went not
much further before we might see the bay divide into two
heads, and arriving there we found it divided into four, all
of which we searched so far as we might sayle them. Two of
them we found inhabited, but in crossing the bay we encoun-
tered seven or eight canowes full of Massawomeks, we seeing
them prepare to assault us, left our oars and made way with
our sayle to encounter them, yet we were but few with our
i6
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
captaine that could stand, for within two days after we left
Kecoughtan, the rest (being all of the last supply) were sick
almost to death, until they were seasoned to the country.
Having shut them under our Tarpawling, we put their hats
upon sticks by the barge’s side, and betwixt two hats a man
with two peeces, to make us seem many, and so we think the
Indians supposed these hats to be men, for they fled with all
possible speed to the shore, and there stayed, staring at the say-
ling of our barge until we anchored right against them. Long it
was ere we could draw them to come unto us. At last they
sent two of their company unarmed in a canow, the rest all
followed to second them if need required. These two each
being presented with a bell, brought aboard all their fel-
lowes ; presenting our captain with venison, bear’s flesh, fish,
bowes, arows, clubs, targets and bear skins. We understood
them nothing at all, but by signs, whereby they signified unto
us they had been at war with the Tockwoghes, the which
they confirmed by shewing us their green wounds, but
the night parting us, we imagined they appointed the next
morning to meet, but after that we never saw them.
Entering the river Tochwogh (Sassafras river, in Cecil
county) the salvages all armed, in a fleete of boats, after their
barbarous manner, round environed us ; so it chanced one of
them could speake the language of Powhatan, who perswaded
the rest to friendly parley. But when they saw us furnished
with the Massawomeks’ weapons, and we faining the inven-
tion of Kecoughtan, to have taken them per force; they con-
ducted to us their pallizadoed towne, mantleled with the barks
of trees with scaffolds like mounts, brested about with brests
very formally. Their men, women and children, with dances,
songs, fruits, furres, and what they had, kindly welcomed us,
spreading mats for us to sit on, stretching their best abilities
to express their loves.
Many hatchets, knives, peeces of iron and brasse, we saw
amongst them, which they reported to have from the Sasquesa-
hanocks, a mightie people and mortall enemies with the Mas-
sawomeks. The Sasquesahanocks inhabit upon the chiefe spring
of these four branches of the baye’s head, two days journey
higher than our barge could passe for rocks, yet we prevailed
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
1 7
with the interpreter to take with him another interpreter, to
perswade the Sasquesahanocks to come visit us, for their lan-
guage are different. Three or four dayes we expected their
returne, then sixty of those gyant-like people came down with
presents of venison, tobacco pipes three foot in length, baskets,
targets, bowes and arrowes. Five of their chiefe Werowances
came aboard us boldly to cross the bay for Tockwhogh, leav-
ing their men and canowes ; the wind being so high they durst
not passe.
Our order was daily to haue prayer, with a psalme, at which
solemnitie the poore salvages much wondered, our prayers
being done awhile they were busied with a consultation till
they had contrived their business. Then they began in a most
passionate manner to hold up their hands to the sunne, with a
most fearful song, then embracing our captaine, they began
to adore him in a like manner; though he rebuked them, yet
they proceeded till their song was finished : which done with a
most strange furious action and a hellish voyce; began an
oration of their loues; that ended with a great painted beares
skin they covered him: then one read with a great chayne
of white beads, weighing six or seaven pounds hung it about
his necke the others had 18 mantels made of diuers sorts of
skinnes sowed together; all these with many other toyes they
laid at his feete, stroking their ceremonious hands about his
necke for his creation to be their governour and protector,
promising their ayed, victualls, or what they had to be his if he
would stay with them, to revenge and defend them of the Mas-
sawomeks. But we left them at Tockwhogh, sorrowing for
our departure, yet we promised the next yeare againe to visit
them. Many descriptions and discourses they made us of
Atquanachack, Massawomek and other people, signifying they
inhabit upon a great water beyond the mountains, which we
understood to be some great lake, or the river of Canada : and
from the French to have their hatchets and commodities by
trade. These know no more of the territories of Powhatan
than his name, and he as little of them, but the Aquanachucks
are on the ocean’s sea.
The highest mountain we saw northward we called Pere-
grines mount (Gray’s Hill) and a rocky river, where the
1 8 HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
Massawomeks went up, Willowbyes river (Bush river) in
honor of the town our captaine was born in ; and that hon-
-orable house the Lord Willowby, his most honored good
friend. The Sasquesahanocks was called Smith’s falles; the
next point to Tockwhogh, Pising’s poynt; the next poynt
Bourne. Powell’s (Pool’s) and Smal’s poynt is by the river
Bolus; and the little bay at the head — Profit’s poole; Wat-
kins, Reads and Mumfords poynts are on each side Limbo ;
Ward, Cantrell and Sicklemore, betwixt Patawomek and Pa-
munkee, after the names of the discoverers. In all those places
and the further we came up the rivers we cut in trees as many
crosses as we could, and in many places crosses of brasse to
signifie to any, Englishmen had been there.
Thus having sought all the rivers and inlets worth noting,
we returned to discover the river of. Pawtuxant, these people
we found very tractable, and more civil than any, and we
promised them, as also the Patawomeks, to revenge them of
the Massawomeks, but our purposes were crossed.
The explorer speaks of going up the Susquehanna
several miles and coming to a stream flowing from the
northwest. It is possible that Smith referred to Deer
Creek as the small stream, and that he went ashore
where Stafford now is, and ascended Deer Creek sev-
eral miles. In this section lived the Indians of such
unusual size, the calf of the leg of one of them meas-
uring twenty-seven inches. Bozman thinks the creek
here referred to is Principio’s Creek in Cecil county,
but from the direction indicated, it seems to me as
likely to have been Deer Creek.
Thirtie leagues northward is a river not inhabited, yet
navigable : for the red clay resembling bole armo niack we
called it bolus. At the end of the bay where it is 6 or 7
myles in breadth, it divides itselfe into 4 branches, the best
commeth northwest from among the mountains, but though
canows may go a day’s journey or two up it, we could not get
two miles up with our boat for rockes. Upon it is seated
•>the Sasquesahanocks, near it, north and by west runneth a
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
19
creeke a myle and a halfe : at the head whereof the Ebbe left
us on shore, where we found many trees cut with hatchets.
The next tide keeping the shore to seek for some salvages ;
(for within thirtie leagues sayling we saw not any, being
a barren country,) we went up another small river like a
creeke, 6 or 7 myle. From thence returning we met 7 canows
of the Massawomeks, with whom we had conference by
signes, for we understood one another scarce a word ; the next
day we discovered the small river and people of Tockwhogh
trending eastward.
Having lost our grapnell among the rocks of the Sasque-
sahannocks, we were then near 200 myles from home and our
barge about two tuns, and had in it but twelve men to per-
forme this discovery, wherein we laid about 12 weeks upon
those great waters in those unknowne countries, having noth-
ing but a little meale, oatmeale, and water to feed us, and
scarce halfe sufficient of that for halfe that time, but what
provision we got among the salvages, and such roots and fish
as we caught by accident, and God’s direction ; nor had we a
mariner nor any hand skill to trim the sayles but two saylers
and myselfe, the rest being gentlmen or them as were ignorant
in such toil and labor. Yet necessitie in a short time by good
words and examples, made them doe that which caused them
ever after to fear no colours. What I did with this small
meanes I leave to the reader to judge and the mappe I made
of the country, which is but a small matter in regard of the
magnitude thereof. But to proceed, 60 of these Sasquesahan-
ocks came to us with skins, bowes, arrowes, targets, beads,
swords and tobacco pipes for presents. Such great and well
proportioned men are seldom seene, for they seemed like
giants to the English, yea, and to the neighbors, yet seemed
of an honest and simple disposition, with much adoe re-
strained from adoring us as Gods. These are the strangest
people of all these countries, both in language and attire ;
for their language it may well become their proportions,
sounding from them as a voyce in a vault. Their attire
is the skinnes of beares, and wolves, some have cossacks
made of beares heads and skinnes, that a man’s head goes
through the skinnes neck, and the eares of the bear fastened
20
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
to his shoulders the nose and teeth hanging down his breast,
another beares face split behind him, and at the end of the
nose hung a pawe, the halfe sleeves coming to the elbowes
were the necks of beares, and the armes through the mouth
with pawes hanging at their noses. One had the head of a
wolfe hanging in a chaine for a jewell, his tobacco pipe
three quarter of a yard long, prettily carved with a bird,
a deare, or some such devise at great the end, sufficient to beat
out ones braines ; with bowes, arows and clubs, sutable to their
greatnesse. These are scarce known to Powhatan. They can
make neare six hundred able men, and are pallisadoed in their
townes to defend them from the Massawomeks, their mortall
enemies. Five of their chiefe Werowances came aboard us and
crossed the bay in their barge. The picture of the greatest
of the them is signified in the mappe. The calfe of whose
leg was three quarters of a yard about, and all the rest of his
limbs so answerable to that proportion that he seemed the
goodliest man we ever beheld. His hayre, the one side was
long, the other shore close with a ridge over his crown like
a cockes combe. His arrows were five quarters long, headed
with the splinters of a white crystal like stone, in forme of a
heart, an inch broad and an inch and a halfe long, or more.
These he wore in a woolues skinne at his back for his quiver,
his bow in the one hand and his clubbe in the other as is de-
scribed.
On the east side of the bay is the river Tockwhogh, and
upon it a people that can make ioo men, seated some seaven
myles within the river : where they have a fort very well pal-
lisadoed and mantelled with barkes of trees. Next them is
Ozinies with sixty men. More to the south of that east
side of the bay, the river Rapahanock, neere unto which is the
river Kuscarawaock. Upon which is seated a people with 200
men. After that is the river Tanto Wighcomoco, and on it a
people with 100 men. The people of these rivers are of little
stature, of another language from the rest and very rude. But
they are on the river Acohanock with 40 men, and they of
Accomac 80 men doth equalize any of the territories of Pow-
hatan, and speake his language, who over all these doth rule
as king.
Southward we went to some parts of Chowanock and the
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY. 21
Mangoags to search for them left by Mr. White. Amongst
those people are thus many severall nations of sundry lan-
guages, that environ Powhatans territories. The Chowanocks,
the Mangoags, the Atquanachukes, the Tockwhoghs, the Sus-
quesanocks, the Powhatans, the Monacans, the Mannahokes,
the Massawomeks, and the Kuvearawaocks. All these not any
one understandeth another but by interpreters.*
Smith made a fairly accurate map of the head waters
of the bay, the islands and adjacent shores, and called
the river now known as Bush river, which lies wholly
in Harford county, “Willowby’s river,” in honor of the
town in which he was born in England. The bay shore
of Harford county, starting with Pool’s Island, then
coming to the mouth of Bush river, Abbey Island
Point, along the shore to Taylor’s Island at the mouth
of Rumney Creek, then along by Spesutie Island past
Oakington to Havre de Grace, is beautiful at all times
and particularly so in summer, and no wonder Smith
said that “heaven and earth seemed never to have
agreed better to frame a place for man’s commodious
and delightful habitation.”
The island now called “Pool’s,” belonging to Har-
ford county and lying in the bay off the Harford shore,
between the mouths of Bush and the Gunpowder
rivers, was named by Captain Smith “Powell’s Island,”
after Nathaniel Powell, one of his party on the voyage,
and it is supposed the original name has been preserved,
only that Powell’s has in the three centuries since its
discovery developed into “Pool’s,” by which latter
name the island is now known. The name of “Smith’s
Falls” in the Susquehanna, is still preserved, this des-
ignation having been given them on the same expedi-
tion.
*Scharf’s History of Maryland.
22 HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
As to the climate of Maryland, Smith says :
The sommer is hot as in Spaine ; the winter cold as in
France or England. The heat of sommer is in June, July and
August, but commonly the coole breesas asswage the vehe-
mency of the heat. The chiefe of winter is halfe December,
January and halfe March. The cold is extreme sharpe, but
here the proverb is true, that no extreme long continueth.*
Captain Smith, as above stated, found a race of In-
dians calling themselves the “Susquehannocks,” inhab-
iting the country now comprising Harford and Cecil
counties, and on Willowby, or Bush, river, a tribe he
called Massawomeks, who were at war with and in-
great fear of the Susquehannocks, and who appear
later to have been subdued and absorbed by the latter,,
as at a later date, in a treaty between the settlers and
the Susquehannocks, that tribe asserted title to the land
from the mouth of the Susquehanna to the Patuxent.
The Susquehannocks belonged to the famous Iro-
quois, or Five Nations tribe of Indians, the seat of
which tribe was further north in the States of Penn-
sylvania and New York. The Massawomeks, which
was the name of the other tribe inhabiting Maryland
at the time, probably belonged to the same general
stock, though the two tribes were contending with each
other at the time of the coming of Smith and his party.
Massawomeks is said to be another name for the
famous Mohawk tribe of Indians, whose seat was fur-
ther to the north.
It is certain that Indians occupied and hunted over
the entire territory of Harford, for there is scarcely a
farmhouse in the county which has failed to preserve
Indian arrow points and stone axes found on the place,.
*Scharf’s History. Bozman.
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY. 23
and in some sections of the county these are to be found
in great abundance.
The first settlement at the head of the bay is sup-
posed to have been made by Edward Palmer, a culti-
vated Englishman, on Palmer’s, or Watson’s Island,
at the mouth of the Susquehanna. Palmer’s Island is
in Cecil, but it lies between the two counties, and it
may be assumed that the settlers there extended over
into Harford, a few hundred yards away. The date
of this settlement is uncertain, but Neal, the historian,
states that the letters of John Pory, secretary of the
Virginia Company, which bear date previous to Clay-
borne’s settlement on Kent Island, say that he and
others had made discovery in the great bay north-
ward, “where we left very happily settled nearly a hun-
dred Englishmen, with a hope of good trade in furs.”
When Palmer’s Island was taken possession of in
1637 by Lord Baltimore’s agents, four servants were
found and some books, indicating that Palmer him-
self had resided there. In a petition to the King
of England by Capt. William Clayborne, protesting
against interference by Lord Baltimore’s people who
came over in the “Ark” and the “Dove” in 1633, it is
declared that the petitioner, previous to the coming of
the Calverts, had discovered and settled a plantation
and factory upon a small island in the mouth of the
Susquehanna river. The petitioner refers to the years
1627-8-9, so it is certain white men were familiar with
the shore of the Susquehanna at that time.*
Clayborne was for many years a thorn to the Mary-
land colonists, and the history of the colony contains
many incidents of their clashing and contention. Lord
♦Johnston’s History of Cecil County.
24 HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
Baltimore had great difficulty in maintaining his posi-
tion, because the country contained within the limits
of his grant was claimed by both Virginia and Penn-
sylvania, and Clayborne took advantage of Virginia’s
claim to make a great deal of trouble.
In 1652 a treaty was made where Annapolis now
stands, between the Susquesahanocks and the English,
and then and there the present territory of Harford was
rightfully acquired from its lawful owners. This treaty
was signed by Richard Bennet, Edward Lloyd, Thomas
Marsh, William Fuller and Leonard Strong, commis-
sioners on the part of the English. About five miles
below the city of Havre de Grace, and belonging to
Harford county, lies Spesutie Island, its name being
derived from Col. Nathaniel Utie, its first owner.
The man for whom the Island of Spesutie and the
church at Perryman’s takes its name was one of the
pioneers in the settlement at the head of the bay, and
was a very prominent man in his day. It is probable
that Colonel Utie made his settlement on Spesutie Isl-
and soon after the Indian treaty of 1652, although the
exact date of his coming is unknown. The word
Spesutie means Utie’s Hope. It is also probable that
Nathaniel Utie was a Virginian and a relative of John
Utie, who was prominent in the affairs of that colony
from 1623 until 1635.
In the year 1634, John Utie, with ten others, pre-
sented a petition to the King of England with refer-
ence to affairs in Virginia. Although at that time he
was a member of the Council of Virginia, his prop-
erty was afterwards confiscated on account of political
troubles. The records state that on May 6th, 1658,
he was councilor. Then he was licensed to carry on
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY. 25
trade for beaver and other furs with the Indians in the
province.
He was made a councilor on account of ‘‘the great
ability and affectionate service done in the assembly
by him.” His license gave him authority to arrest all
persons in his section trading with the Indians with-
out license. On July 12, 1658, Nathaniel Utie was ap-
pointed captain of all the forces between the “coves
of the Patuxent river and the Seven Mountains.” His
own company was to be made up of all the forces from
the source of the Seven river to the mountains above
named. These seven mountains are not known with
certainty, but the designation was for some of the
highlands at the head of the bay, of which Bull’s moun-
tain, in Cecil county, is the most prominent. Utie had
been a member of an assembly which met at St. Clem-
ent’s Manor in 1659, in the time of Fendall’s rebellion,
which assembly had been rebellious as to the authority
of Lord Baltimore. He accordingly presented his peti-
tion to the council to “add a further act of grace that
his former offences be not prejudiced to him here-
after.” His petition was granted, and he was restored
to favor. He was a member from Baltimore county
in the Provincial Legislature of 1665, and in the fol-
lowing year was appointed on the commission to con-
sider the question of increasing the price of tobacco in
Maryland, Virginia and North Carolina by not plant-
ing for one year.
Colonel Utie, besides Spesutie Island, owned a large
area of land near the mouth of the Gunpowder river
and land on the Sassafras river, in Cecil county.
George Utie and Richard Wells were ordered to be
summoned before the provincial court in 1661, “for not
26
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
sending letters down to the Governor according to the
acts of Assembly, and for contemptuously nailing up a
letter of the sheriff, directed to the Governor.” They
probably lived on Spesutie Island, and the former was
no doubt a relative of Nathaniel Utie. It seems from
his treatment of the sheriff that he was as stubborn and
courageous as Nathaniel. He represented Baltimore
county in the Legislature in 1661, and was also com-
missioned sheriff of Baltimore county in 1666.”*
The residence of Colonel Utie, on Spesutie Island,
was distinguished by a meeting of the Council of Mary-
land on May 13, 1661, for the purpose of investigating
certain complaints made by and against the Indians,
and making treaties with them. At that meeting
Robert Gorsuch testified touching an engagement with
the Indians on the Gunpowder river, in Harford county.
He stated that the Indians came to his house on the
nth of April, 1661, some dressed in blue and some in
red match coats, who killed his wife and plundered his
house, and about four or five days after came to his
house again and killed some five cows and a steer, and
some hogs, “as he supposeth.”t
John Taylor said that upon Easter eve, in the after-
noon, there came two Indians to his house, but, he,
not understanding their language, pointed at them to
be gone ; he not having heard before of a murder com-
mitted upon Robert Gorsuch’s wife, and they accord-
ingly departed. The next day these same Indians re-
turned with seven more and one woman, who, coming
near his landing, shot off a gun to give him notice, as
he considered ; whereupon he went to the landing to
them, and they asked him for some tobacco, which he
*Johnston. fjohnston.
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY. 2J
did give them, and upon sight of another canoe of
Indians, bid them begone; one of them understanding
and speaking a little English, upon which they went
-away and steered, as he thought, to a plantation hard
by, where two bachelors lived, named Edward Foster
and John Foster ; that John Foster, coming in a canoe
towards the Indians, shot at said Indians and came
immediately away to this informant’s house ; where-
upon said Indians shot three guns at said Foster, arid
immediately went and plundered his house and came
around about two weeks afterward and plundered his
tobacco house, where his goods then lay for want of
room in his dwelling house, to the value of one thou-
sand pounds of tobacco ; that upon notice given of this
plunder, William Wigwell, John Fouster and Edward
Swanson went forth after the said Indians, to know
why they plundered the said tobacco house, and coming
up to them in the woods, where they were sitting around
a fire. They immediately surrounded the said English
and discharged a volley of ten shots, killing the said
John Fouster, and at a second volley wounded William
Wigwell, notwithstanding which shot, they fought
them three hours and made their retreat good, since
which time the said Indians have killed eleven head of
cattle and twenty head of hogs. Demanding who they
were, they answered that they were all Susquehan-
naughs, as all Indians used to do that come to his
house.”*
As a result of the meeting of this council on Spesutie
Island a treaty was made with the Indians in the fol-
lowing words :
Articles of peace and amity concluded between the Hon.
*Johnston’s History of Cecil County.
28
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
Philip Calvert, Esq., Governor; Henry Coursey, secretary, and
John Bateman, councilor, on behalf of the Lord Proprietary
of this province of Maryland, and Pinna, king of Picthanom-
icta, on behalf of the Passagonke Indians on the other part :
Imprimis : That there shall be a perpetual peace betwixt
the people of Maryland and the Passagonke Indians.
Second: It is agreed between the above said parties that,
in case any Englishman for the future shall happen to find any
Passagonke Indian killing either cattle or hogs, then it shall
be lawful for the English to kill the said Indian.
Third. It is agreed between the above said parties that, in
case any Indian or Indians shall happen to kill any English-
man (which God forbid) then the said Indian, with all that
company of Indians with him which consented to the said mur-
der, shall be delivered to the English, there to be proceeded
against according to the laws of this province.
Fourth. It is further agreed betwixt the above said parties
that, in case any Englishman shall happen to run amongst the
Passagonke Indians, the said Indians bring them to Peter
Meyers; and then for every Englishman that they deliver,
they shall receive one match coat.
The Mark (M) of Pinna.
and this treaty vitally affected all the people at the head
of the bay.
CHAPTER II.
EARLY SETTLEMENTS.
THOMAS THURSTON — OLD HOUSES — JACOB GILES’ LAND — SOME
TRACTS BELONGING TO COLONEL WHITE — AQUILA PACA —
DANIEL SCOTT — JAMES PRESTON — JOHN STUMP — DAVID BIS-
SET — SAMUEL GOVER — JOHN HALL — WM. BRADFORD — WM.
M ’COMAS — JOHN M’COMAS.
From this time for a number of years, nothing of
especial interest occurred to those who came to settle
here, different from that concerning the people of the
colony generally. We find from the records that the
land was rapidly taken up and patents from the Lord
Proprietor and his governor were numerous, indicating
a large number of settlers. These first took up the land
along the water courses, but gradually extended up
into the forest, and at the time of the Revolution,
which commenced three years after the formation of
the county, the population of Harford, as above stated,
was about thirteen thousand. The writer’s own people
obtained a patent at the end of the seventeenth cen-
tury for a tract of land at the head of “Bush River”
(Bynum’s Run), which is still in the possession of a
member of his family.
Thomas Thurston was one of the earliest settlers in
this section. Although belonging to the Society of
Friends, his career entitles him to be called a “fighting
Quaker.” He came to Virginia from Massachusetts
and afterwards took up his abode in Maryland, where
30 HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
he acquired large tracts of land, and in 1659 settled
in Bush river neck, where he owned many acres and
about one thousand acres near the present site of Bush.
He also owned land near Stafford and in the vicinity of
the present location of Bel Air. His horns is said to
have been at old Baltimore, on Bush river, in the year
1686. He was a colonel and was appointed to command
the military of the county. In 1692 he was superseded
in the command by Captain Thomas Richardson, but
the former declined to relinquish his authority, and
Thurston was left in possession. For this he was
brought to trial, but by reason of a general amnesty
granted by the King on account of a great naval vic-
tory over the French, nothing further was done in the
matter. His son sold a part of this land to John Mor-
timer, who was an ancestor of the present Archer fam-
ily in Harford county.
At the date of the Revolution, while the most thickly
settled portion of the country was in the necks along
the water courses, nevertheless patents had been taken
out, even to the Pennsylvania line, and the county was
well settled throughout.
About that time were built some of the largest houses
of the county that still remain. In 1768 Aquila Hall
built the brick house on the Dairy farm. Colonel
Thomas White married a daughter of Capt. John Hall,
of Cranberry. John Hall left to his daughter Sophia,
wife of Colonel White, a tract of land called “Sophia’s
Dairy.” Their daughter, Sophia White, married her
cousin, Aquila Hall, who built the “Dairy” house on
the land derived from his wife’s mother. The “Dairy”
house was built, it is said, by the hands of five redemp-
tionists, two of whom were masons, two carpenters and
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY. 3 1
one a laborer, and bricks imported from England were
used. The redemptionists received their freedom as
their reward for the building.*
In 1774, the year of the formation of the county,
William Smithson built the “Homestead,” near Bel Air,
which is even now one of the best in the county. In
1 786 William Wilson, who had married Pallmela Bond,
built, of bricks made on the place, the large house near
Emmorton, now the residence of Mr. R. L. Wilson, his
grandson. About this time was built also the old rec-
tory of Spesutie church, which is the long frame build-
ing at Harford Furnace. A little later, Bernard Pres-
ton, who had married Sarah, daughter of Jacob Bond,,
built the large stone house, which is still in good repair,
situate between Bel Air and Hickory, now owned by
Mr. J. B. Wysong, a direct descendant of the first
owner. Part of the residence of Mr. G. Smith Norris,
near Bel Air, was built early in the eighteenth century
by John Norris, one of the progenitors of Mr. Norris.
In 1790 William Hall built the dwelling house on the
“Constant Friendship Farm,” in Abingdon district.
Before this date the large house belonging to the heirs
of Dr. Thomas E. Bond, on the Little Falls, near Falls-
ton, was built.
The old church at Priestford, now the residence of
Mr. R. Harris Archer, was built in 1747, as stated
herein under the heading “The Catholics in Harford.”
The old Baptist church, between Jarrettsville and Up-
per X-Roads, was erected about 1760. The house at
the corner of Main street and the Baltimore pike, in
Bel Air, was built before 1780. Rock Spring church
was erected in the year 1805. The stone and brick
*Proceedings of meeting of descendants of Col. Thomas White.
3 2 HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
house at “Shandy Hall,” in the second district, was
built by John Hall, of Cranberry, in 1701.
The present dwelling of Mr. J. Lawrence McCor-
mick, near Bel Air, was erected by Philip Henderson
in the year 1787. Buckler Bond built the Fulford
house, near the tollgate, one mile west of Bel Air, about
1732. Two other Bond houses were situated in the
same neighborhood and built about the same time. One
of them is the residence of the heirs of Mr. Henry
Richardson, and the other was on the site of the present
overseer’s house of the almshouse. The new portion
of the house on Ruff’s Chance, the farm of Judge
James D. Watters, near Thomas’ Run, was built in 1760
by Henry and Martha Watters, the great grandfather
and mother of Judge Watters. A portion of this house
is even older, and is built of logs, which are yet in a fair
state of preservation. Ruff’s Chance was one-half a
square mile in area and was patented in 1714 by Rich-
ard Ruff. Part of the house near Upper X-Roads, now
occupied by Mr. John Randolph Rutledge, was erected
before the time of the Revolution, when the property
was purchased by Abraham Rutledge, the father of
Ignatius Wheeler. The house was built by a man named
Jacob Rutledge, who married Monica, daughter of Col.
Chalk. The large stone residence of Mr. Frank H.
Jacobs, on the Churchville road, was built in 1809, by
Archer Hays, an ancestor of Mr. Jacobs.
Jacob Giles acquired the following named tracts in
the following years, viz :
1732, Upton Court, 200 acres.
1734, Brothers Discovery, 50 acres.
I735> Neighborhood, 734 acres; part of Stone Hill,
352 acres ; part of Giles and Webster’s Discovery, 195
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
33
acres ; part of Stone Hill, 352 acres ; part of Giles and
Webster’s Discovery, 919 acres ; part of Brothers Dis-
covery, 134 acres.
Jacob Giles and Isaac Webster sold most of these
tracts together.
1741 part of Triple Union, 100 acres.
1742, Bond’s Hope, 69 acres.
1745, Triple Union, 50 acres.
1754, part of Gittings’ Choice, 50 acres.
1749, part of Rigbies Hope, 30 acres.
1749, Jenkins’ Range, 247 acres.
1754, part of the Conveniency, 261 acres.
1754, part of the Conveniency, 25 acres.
1754, Nova Scotia, 121 acres.
1766, Benjamin’s Choice and James Park, 500 acres.
1768, Land of Promise, 712 acres.
Between the years 1735 and 1747 Jacob Giles ac-
quired, by many conveyances, large tracts in the fifth
district, all of them being part of Arabia Petrea. These
conveyances make an aggregate of more than four
thousand acres.
In 1776 and for some years thereafter, Jacob Giles,
John Bond, Isaac Webster, John Lee Webster and
Janies Webster were the owners and proprietors of The
Bush River Iron Works, land, mills and other improve-
ments. Col. Thomas White was also connected with
this company.
In 1730 Col. Thomas White acquired Polecat Neck
and Leaf Junior.
In 1731, Sophia’s Dairy, The Fork, 150 acres; Fow-
ler’s Chance, 98 acres.
In 1739, Hazard and Fraternity, 200 acres; also
Eaton, 400 acres.
34
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
In 1744, Delph’s Island, Gilmore Marsh and Gibson’s
Ridge, Monserado, 275 acres ; also Isaac’s Enlargement
270 acres, and Isaac’s Addition, 150 acres.
In 1746 part of Arabia Petrea, also Ah, Ah, the Cow
Pasture, 194 acres ; Itrap, 208 acres ; Skipton Increase,
310 acres; Convenience, 200 acres, and Scrutiny, 380
acres.
1747, Hathaway’s and Hazard’s and Jones’ Addition,
204 acres.
1748, Hammond’s Hope, 200 acres ; also Hall’s Rich
Neck, 510 acres ; Paradise, 490 acres.
1750, Lyne’s Addition, 600 acres; Howard’s Range,
Keyton’s Range, 146 acres.
1754, Aquila’s Inheritance, 67 acres; Gravell Hill, 50
acres ; Gilbert’s Pipe, 37 acres ; Loyd of Luloe’s Lot.
1760, Jones’ Addition, 70 acres.
1761, part of Constant Friendship, 261 acres ; part of
Bradford’s Barrens.
1764, Sedgely and Best Endeavor.
1765, Abbott’s Forest, 238 acres; Hammond’s Hope,
15 acres; Thomas’ Beginning, 180 acres; Clark Park,
26 acres.
1766, Come by Chance.
Colonel White was a large land owner and the above
are only some of his tracts. The above properties are
for the most part situated in Abingdon district, but
extend nearly to Bel Air, and some lie in the second
election district.
Aquila Paca acquired the following land in the fol-
lowing years :
1707, Prosperity, 140 acres.
1709, Gibson Park, 800 acres.
1717, Collett’s Point, or Neck, 200 acres.
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
35
1724, Moale’s Success, 400 acres.
1729, Delph, 600 acres. A A
1715, Chilberry Hall.
1741, Maiden’s Bower, 300 acres (from Daniel Scott,
Jr.).
1761, Islan, 48 acres.
In 1747 Martha Paca purchased from Jacob Giles
100 acres, part of Arabia Petrea, a very large tract in
the fifth district, most of which was owned by Jacob
Giles.
Daniel Scott acquired the following named proper-
ties on the following dates :
1682, Oliver’s Reserve, 150 acres.
1693, Kindness, 30 acres ; also Swallow’s Bill, 216
acres.
1700, Scott’s Lodge, 150 acres; Stanhacket, 190
acres ; Chestnut Neck, 100 acres.
1702, Harmans Hope, 100 acres.
1713, part of Beale’s Camp, 300 acres.
1724, part of Chestnut Neck, Harman’s Hope and
Hunting Ridge, 490 acres.
1725, part of Beale’s Camp, 400 acres.
1730, Burr, 100 acres.
1741, Scott’s Close, 100 acres.
In 1699 Gilbert Scott purchased Dunkeele, a tract of
500 acres on Winter’s Run, the Whitaker Mill prop-
erty retaining the name to this day.
James Preston acquired the following named tracts,
among others, on the following dates :
170 9, James’ Choice.
1715, Dennis’ Choice.
1718, Everly Hills (includes farm at present owned
by Hon. Herman Stump).
36 HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
1741, The Vineyard.
1748, Preston’s Chance.
1753, Hog Neck.
1756, Mate’s Addition.
1758, Robinson’s Chance.
1761, Plumb Point.
The above tracts cover about fifteen hundred acres,
and stretch, with intervals from Winter’s Run, near
the Bel Air pike, up toward Hickory and Forest Hill.
The Vineyard, purchased in 1741, and other tracts, are
now owned and occupied by a descendant of James
Preston.
In 1749 John Stump purchased Durbin’s Chance.
On November 9, 1739, Isaac Webster purchased
Ranger’s Lodge, 200 acres, from George Stokes and
James Phillips.
In 1754 David Bisset leased from Robert Stokes,
Ridge, Harkin’s Folly, Parker’s Choice, The Marsh,
Natty’s Island, now called Rumney Neck, 1,184 acres.
In 1742 Samuel Gover owned a tract called Repulta,
near what is now Havre de Grace.
John Hall acquired the following properties on the
following dates :
1670, Crab Hill, 100 acres.
1884, Hornesham, 50 acres.
1693, Bushwood, 150 acres.
1694, Prosperity, 140 acres.
1699, Galliens, 100 acres.
1705, Mascal’s Humor, 50 acres.
1708, The Western Frolic, 100 acres.
1718, Woodpecker Hall, Enlargement.
1719, Jericho, 1,000 acres.
1720, Betty’s Inheritance, 100 acres.
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
37
In 1777 Richard Johns and Richard Wilmott owned
a tract called Christopher’s Camp, consisting of one
thousand acres. This tract is situated between Foun-
tain Green and Creswell, and the Winchester farm,
now owned by Mr. William O. Michael, is part of it.
This tract was patented by Christopher Bayne.
In 1797 Dr. Jacob Hall owned a tract called Edward
Lott, United Lott and Matthew’s Neighbor Resur-
veyed, containing one hundred and fifty-nine acres.
This is the Booth, or Kyle, farm, near Fountain Green.
In 1704 John Webster owned Ah, Ah, the Cow Pas-
ture, 194 acres, near the present village of Abingdon.
William Bradford acquired the following tracts in
the following* years :
1722-4, part of Enlargement, 96 acres.
1725, part of Come by Chance, 20 acres.
1727, Bradford’s Barrens, 100 acres.
1740, Turkery Hills and Strawberry Hills, 13 1 acres.
1762, Littleton, 371 acres.
The Bradford’s Barrens, as above stated, containing
100 acres, was on April 8, 1685, patented by John Nich-
olson, alias “Jack the Dauber,” and on November 17,
1727, by virtue of a special warrant of escheat, granted
to William Bradford. The original name was Plas-
terer’s Hall. This tract is on Bynum’s Run, on the
opposite side from Hall’s, or Hooker’s, Mills, in the
first district.
William McComas acquired the following named
tracts in the following years :
1729, part of Gresham’s College, 195 acres.
1746, Colling’s First Shift.
1756, part of Littleton, 45 acres.
1741, Come by Chance.
38
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
1712-14, John McComas acquired part of Littleton,
182 acres.
1723, Alex. McComas purchased Macedon, 100
acres.
1726, John McComas purchased part of Come by
Chance; 1741, Ann McComas purchased part of Come
by Chance, 77 acres.
1753, Alex. McComas acquired part of Horse Range,
24 acres.
1756, Aaron McComas purchased part of Gresham’s
College, 45 acres.
1761, Daniel McComas owned Walnut Neck, 100
acres.
1762, Aquila McComas purchased Shere’s Depend-
ence, 83 acres.
In 1808 Daniel Lambourne bought of Buckler Bond,
for 1,300 pounds, thirty acres of land, with a mill and
other improvements, on Winter’s Run, one and three-
quarter miles from Bel Air. In 1818 this property
belonged to Thomas A. Hayes, and the grist mill was
afterward converted into a paper mill. Burned April
7, 1856.
William Holland, in 1709, purchased Batchelor’s
Good Luck from Enoch Spinks, the patentee. This
tract contains one thousand acres and situated on both
sides of Deer Creek.
CHAPTER III.
OLD COURTHOUSES.
THE MARYLAND COLONY AND ENGLAND — REMOTE FROM THE
TURBULENT EVENTS OF THE MOTHER COUNTRY — COUNTY SEAT
ON BUSH RIVER — SOME OLD MINUTES — WM. OSBORNE — COUNTY
SEAT REMOVED TO GUNPOWDER — NEXT TO JOPPA — GROWTH AND
DECLINE OF JOPPA — BALTIMORE ON THE PATAPSCO.
The Indians gave occasional trouble; petty disputes
and quarrels occurred between them and the whites ;
the English Revolution took place, and Charles, by the
grace of God, of Great Britain, Ireland and France —
King, defender, etc. — lost his head; Naseby, Edgehill,
Marston Moore and Worcester were fought ; Cromwell
became Lord Protector and assumed sovereignty over
the American colonies. He died, and a Stuart again
reigned in the person of Charles II. The politics of
England reached even the settlers in this distant land,
and at times it was difficult for the good people of
Maryland to determine who was their rightful sover-
eign and ruler. But the province retained its au-
tonomy and government ; settlements continued to go
on, and the beautiful river lying within the limits of
our county pursued its tranquil course, and the great
water dividing the State passed, unvexed, to the sea.
It is true that for many years there were contentions
with the Dutch settlers of New Amstel, on the Dela-
ware bay, and with the people of Virginia; Claiborne
40 HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
continued to harass the settlers on Kent Island and at
the head waters of the bay, but the Maryland colony
managed to maintain its integrity throughout, and our
forefathers lived in amity and brotherly love, enjoying
by the charter of the colony a greater degree of civil
and religious liberty than could be found under any
other government then existing.
In the present limits of Harford were located the
first two county seats and courthouses of Baltimore
county. The first was on the east side of Bush river,
about two miles below the bridge of the Pennsylvania
Railroad, on the farm now owned by Mr. James L.
Richardson. Tradition had fairly accurately located
the place, but until very recently there was no authen-
tic proof of its situation. By a paper recently read by
Senator Charles W. Michael before the Historical So-
ciety of Harford County, the location of the county land
is clearly proven, and in the address delivered by Judge
Albert Ritchie before the Maryland Historical Society,
January 8, 1900, on the early county seats of Balti-
more, much new light is thrown upon the old Balti-
more of Bush river. By the act of 1674 a courthouse
was authorized to be constructed, and by an ordinance
of the Proprietary, dated June 10, 1676, appointing
places where inns might be kept, it is provided that
there should be one at the courthouse in Baltimore
county. In 1679 a proclamation was issued from the
courthouse of the county, prescribing the manner for
giving and answering alarms upon the approach of the
Indians. The alarm was to be given by the firing of a
gun three times within the space of a quarter of an
hour, and this was to be answered by firing from house
to house throughout the hundred.
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY. 41
In 1686 a tract of land conveyed by William Osborne
to James Phillips is described in the land records as
beginning on Bush river at a point a little beyond the
courthouse, and running, etc. By this deed and by the
will of James Osborne, dated April 6, 1779, and by
other land and will records, Mr. Michael has located
beyond question the position of the court land. Wil-
liam Osborne kept a ferry. As Baltimore county then
included Harford and Cecil and much more, the ferry
would probably cross to about the residence of the late
William P. Taylor, and the road lead thence out
towards Edgewood. At that date the roads were little
more than paths, for in 1686 a petition was presented
to the Council to move the courthouse to a point on
the south side of Winter’s Run, “near the path that
goes from Potomac to the Susquehanna rivers.” The
proposed place must have been near the present loca-
tion of Van Bibber, but the change was never made.
In 1691 the meeting place of the court was moved
to Gunpowder, and in 1712 to Joppa, in Harford
county, where a courthouse was built.
William Osborne is said to have been the founder
of Baltimore on Bush river, and to have built the first
house there, and was the owner of the ferry across the
river, by which the town was reached from the west
and north. Philip Philips attended the ferry, which
he afterwards purchased. Osborne’s eldest son was
stolen by the Susquehannock Indians. Pursuit was
made, and the Indians were followed across the bay,
but the child was never recovered. Osborne never saw
his son again, but the captive was kindly treated. The
father was informed by an old chief that the lost boy
was living, and had become a chief among the red men,
42 HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
and he is said to have signed the treaty between Penn
and the Indians in 1682.
James Philips, grandson of Philip Philips, married
Martha, daughter of John and sister of William Paca,
Governor of the State and signer of the Declaration
of Independence. In the eastern part of a field, the site
of Old Baltimore, there is a burial ground in a grove of
large walnut trees. In the midst of the grove there is
a marble slab, on which is the following inscription :
“Beneath this stone is reposed the body of James Phil-
ips, and also, in compliance with his dying request, the
body of his wife, Martha Philips, daughter of John and
Elizabeth Paca. Born February 3, 1744; married Jan-
uary 25, 1776; died March, 6, 1829, having survived
her husband 26 years,” etc.
In the month of June, 1687, the Nanticoke Indians
complained that one of their members, whom they
styled “the mad Indian,” had been murdered at Bush
river by three white men, one of whom was a servant
of Mrs. Stansbury, who lived there. The parties
charged were not properly punished according to the
minds of the Indians, and this crime was made the
excuse for counter-outrages by them on a family by
the name of Enock, on Middle river, the head of which
family was slain by the savages.
In 1692-3 there was a line of defense against the In-
dians, consisting of small forts made of wood, ex-
tending in a northeasterly direction from Garrison
Forest, in the neighborhood of Pikesville, in Balti-
more county, through the northern section of Har-
ford to the Susquehanna. Captain Thomas Richardson
commanded the fort on the Susquehanna. The forts
were mere cabins, where sentinels could seek shelter,
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY. 43
and were the advance guards of the settlements. One of
these cabins or forts stood near the present site of
Bethel church, but years before any church was there.
At the court held in March, 1683, at Baltimore on
Bush river, the justices present were Col. George Wells,
Edward Bedell, Major Thomas Long and John Boring.
Thomas Hedge was clerk, Miles Gibson, high sheriff,
and by order of Court the key of the courthouse was
placed in the custody of “John Hathway, the cryer.”
The land appears to have belonged to William and
Margaret Osborne, and seems to have been taken by
proceedings for condemnation under the old English
law of eminent domain, for we find a rule laid on
Osborne and his wife, in 1683, to show cause why they
did not make over the land, and on September 4th, of
that year, they conveyed the title to the land to the
Commissioners of Baltimore county and their success-
ors in the manner of the livery of seizing law by de-
livery of turf and twig.
The records show that the courthouse, on Bush river,
had been constructed long enough to need repairs in
1683, “as to its dormant windows coursing the same
with good boards, with sap drawne out and for nailes.”
The building was probably made of wood. It was
offered for sale about 1696. The Baltimore, on Bush
river, was known only by tradition as early as 1773,
the date of the act for the formation of Harford
county; for in that year the testimony of Col. John
Hall, taken in a law suit, states that he knew a place
in Bush river neck called “The Old Plantation,” and
he had always understood that the town on Bush river
was laid out there. Col. Hall had always lived in that
section. The last trace of the meeting of the Court
44 HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
on Bush river is in a suit brought in 1692, by Thomas
Heath, an innkeeper there, for tobacco due him for the
expenses of the justices during 1687-88-89. It would
seem from this that in the early days the justices ex-
pected the county to pay their tavern bills.
The county seat was then removed to Gunpowder,
within the present limits of Baltimore county, but
in 1712, in spite of considerable opposition, it was re-
moved across the river to Joppa, which is within the
present bounds of Harford.
“The courthouse there had been first built without
legal authority, and when this difficulty was got over
it was found that the Commissioners had built it on the
land of a minor, who could convey no legal title. This
stumbling-block hindered Joppa's progress for twelve
years more. The courthouse and prison were built, but
not a dwelling-house; but the Assembly, in 1724, legal-
ized the conveyance by special act, but reduced the area
of the town to twenty-one acres.
After so many false starts, Joppa was now fairly on
her way. The “Act for erecting a town at Joppa, in
Baltimore county, and for securing the land whereon
the courthouse and prison are built," was passed by
the General Assembly at the October session, in 1724.
By this act Thomas Tolley, Capt. John Taylor, Daniel
Scott, Lancelot Todd and John Stokes were appointed
town commissioners. On the 20th of April, 1725,
Messrs. Tolley, Taylor and Scott met at Joppa, and
proceeded to lay off twenty-one acres of land — one acre
for the use of St. John’s Parish Church — for the use
of the town. The town was laid out into forty lots,
exclusive of the church lot, and divided by Court street
and Church street, running east and west, and Low
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY. 45
street and High street, running nearly north and south.
The lots were offered for entry at one pound seven
shillings each, to be paid to Col. James Maxwell, whose
land had been taken by the Commissioners for the use
of the town. Among those who took up lots were Col.
James Maxwell, Asaell Maxwell, son of James Max-
well ; Col. John Dorsey, for the use of his son, Green-
bury Dorsey; John Crockett, John Stokes, David
Hughes, Thomas White, clerk of the town, Roger Mat-
thews, Capt. Thomas Sheredine, Aquila Paca, sheriff of
the county, John Hall, Jr., John Roberts, Joseph Ward,
inn-holder, Richard Hewitt, Nicholas Day, Thomas
Tolley, Aquila Hall, William Hammond, Benjamin
Jones, William Lowe, Joseph Calvert, late merchant of
Kent county, James Isham, Catharine Hollingsworth,
widow, Samuel Ward, carpenter, Benjamin Johns,
Abraham Johns, Stephen Higgins, Samuel Maccubbin,
Hannah Ward, John Higginson, inn-holder, and Ben-
jamin Rumsey. Like all these towns of the Legisla-
ture’s making, she was laid off into lots intersected by
streets, lanes and alleys ; but, as if the Assembly wished
to punish the town for its own rashness and negligence,
the lots were ordered to be of half the usual size, or
half an acre each. Takers-up of lots were bound to
build each a dwelling-house, covering not less than four
hundred square feet, with a good brick or stone chim-
ney. And so the new town flourished and became a
great tobacco market, to which hogsheads were brought
from all the upper parts of the country by a simple, but
practical contrivance then generally in use, which made
each hogshead its own vehicle. A gudgeon, or pin, was
fastened in each end, on which hoop-pole shafts were
attached and fastened to the horse’s collar, who thus
46 HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
trundled the cask behind him ; and the roads used for
this transportation were called “rolling roads,” by
which name many of them are still known. To build
up still further her commerce, all debtors paying their
debts in tobacco at Joppa were allowed a reduction of
ten per cent. She became a port of entry, and had a
respectable trade with Europe and the West Indies.
Tradition says that so late as the American revolution
a vessel of war was built there.”*
In 1731 the Legislature suspended the sittings of the
court at Joppa on account of the prevalence of small
pox there.
Baltimore, on the Patapsco, had meanwhile been
growing, while Joppa stood still, and in 1768 was en-
titled to be called a city. In that year, on account of
the inconvenience to the inhabitants in attending court
at Joppa, a law was passed authorizing a commission
to build a courthouse and prison on the “uppermost
part of Calvert street, next Jones’ Falls,” and the same
commission was directed to sell the courthouse and
prison at Joppa, although the courthouse in the present
city of Baltimore was not built by public expense, the
cost of it having been raised by private subscription.
There was great opposition to the change in the section
which is now Harford, and the actual removal of the
records by Mr. Alexander Lawson was attended by
some violence and outrage, f Thus in 1768 the county
seat of Baltimore county was permanently removed
from our soil, but our ancestors grew restive under the
inconvenience of the change, and began housekeeping
for themselves five years later, when our own county
♦Scharf’s History of Maryland. fGriffith’s Annals.
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY. 47
was organized at Bush, as will be related a few pages
further on.
“The grandeur of Joppa was not destined to endure,
As old Baltimore on Bush river had faded before her,
so she was to fade before Baltimore on the Patapsco.
Her trade was drawn off, her population dwindled, her
storehouses fell to ruin, her wharves rotted and her
harbor filled up with mud. Yet the ancient town has
not, like old Baltimore, utterly vanished. A solitary
house, once a stately mansion, built of bricks imported
from England, and a few mouldering grave stones,
overgrown by weeds and grass, still mark the site of
the once flourishing town of Joppa.”*
The location of Joppa, and of the town there, is still
well known, but the Baltimore, on Bush river, has en-
tirely disappeared, and is now a field on the farm of
Mr. James Richardson, on the east side of the river,
the shore being well known as “Old Baltimore,” and
is a favorite landing place for sailing parties on the
Bush river.
*Scharf’s History.
CHAPTER IV.
CUSTOMS AND MANNERS PRIOR TO THE
REVOLUTION.
SLAVERY — PRIMITIVE CONDITIONS — THE LAWYER — DOCTOR — SCHOOL-
MASTER— LIFE OF A PHYSICIAN BEFORE THE REVOLUTION —
DOMESTIC CUSTOMS.
In the colony of Maryland there was much pretense
to aristocracy and style. Annapolis and Baltimore com
tained a large population and people of considerable
wealth resided there. Hospitality was freely dispensed,
and, as in the South today, they gave a hearty welcome
to all comers, even to the stranger within their gates.
Slavery was an established institution, and the masters
had that patriarchal manner that comes from the own-
ership of slaves. The proprietors in this section were,
as a rule, kind to their servants, and it was considered
bad form to sell a slave. But the institution existed
with all its withering effect upon the master and the
bondman, and while in the Maryland colony human
servitude was found in its least objectionable form,
even here its blight only differed in degree from the
characteristics in the entire section in which it pre-
vailed.
It was looked upon with ill-favor to maltreat a slave,
but the general regard in which the blacks were held
was expressed by a distinguished Maryland judge in
delivering an opinion in the Supreme Court of the
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY. 49
United States many years later, when he said that they
had been considered so far inferior that they had no
rights the white man was bound to respect. The
negroes were, however, much better off here even in
slavery than in their own country of Africa, where they
were in servitude to members of their own race. The
pleasant and happy condition of the blacks at the time
of which we write gave no warning of the dreadful con-
flict which was to be waged an hundred years later over
their emancipation. He was not then born who was
to be at the head of the nation in that dreadful struggle,
who was to sit beside the sick bed of his country in her
agony, whose large hand was to be on her feeble pulse,
and whose knowledge and skill was to perform the
miracle of her healing. There were few libraries
and a man with a dozen books was considered quite a
scholar. A modest collection, such as may be found
today in many private houses, would have been con-
sidered in those days a considerable library. News-
papers were few and not in general circulation, and the
people depended on the gossip of the day for their
news, and often on the political harangue for their poli-
tics.
The great powers in the body politic of that early day
were the schoolmaster, the lawyer and the doctor. The
public school system did not exist, and the only schools
to be found were those in which a gentleman of means
would employ a teacher for his children, and the boys
and girls of the neighborhood would be invited to at-
tend.
The old Maryland Bar was an active, learned and in-
telligent body, full of force and the greatest power, and
contained in its membership Jennings, Holliday, Key,
50 HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
Martin, Sprigg, Rogers, Johnson and Chase. They
were well trained in the English common law, in all
the traditions of the English Bar and the usages of the
best society, and kept our customs and manners on a
high level.
Stocks and pillories were in constant use, and the
criminal code was more severe than it is in our day.
This section of the colony was almost entirely an agri-
cultural community. The plow was little used, except
for the purpose of breaking up of new ground in the
spring and fallow in the fall, and the chief implement
of husbandry was the hoe. This was not the light steel
implement of the present day, but a great, clumsy lump
of iron, often rudely made by the blacksmith on the
plantation, not sharp, but so made that it could not be
broken.
Corn and tobacco were the chief crops ; these were
frequently shipped to England, the money arising from
their sale purchasing in London clothes, merchandise
and whatever manufactured articles might be needed
on the farm.
Commercial fertilizers were unknown, and a piece of
bottom land, which could be enriched by the over-
flow of a stream, was particularly valuable. Fox hunt-
ing and cock fighting were the chief sports then in
vogue.
The doctor stood especially high in influence and
popular esteem. Often he had depended for his medical
education upon his apprenticeship to some physician in
active practice in a large city. His term of tuition being
over, the young man returned to his early home and be-
gan the practice of medicine. As time went by he grew
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY. 5 1
in influence, popularity and wealth. His knowledge of
the world, good sense and engaging manners, his
hearty laugh and the interest he manifested in the
family of the poorest of his sick people, made him an
universal favorite. When he rode out the occupants of
every farmhouse he passed were as well known to
him as his own household. The boys took off their
caps to him as he passed, and the girls paid him the
compliment of greeting by dropping a curtsy. He
would take the longest rides on the darkest nights to
administer a dose of calomel to an old woman or attend
a child with a cold. He was present at every birth ; he
rode with the family at the funeral ; he was to be found
with the minister at every death-bed, and his name at-
tested the signature to every will. In those days there
were no drug stores. The country store kept a few of
the simplest drugs stored away on the shelves among
shoes, harness, twine and salt meat. The doctor had to
be both physician and druggist, and his saddle bags
protruded with their load of drugs. The old mortar
and pestle was in daily use, and the physician put up
his own prescriptions and pounded his own drugs.
Great quantities of medicines were taken in those
days — more even by the well than is given to the sick
now. Large doses of calomel and rhubarb had to be
taken each spring, and nauseating combinations of
senna and molasses were taken daily. Simple reme-
dies of the present day were then unknown. The
patient in a raging fever was denied water. So much
mercurial compounds were taken that the lips turned
blue and the gums fell away from the teeth. It was
quite common to cup and leech. As quinine was not
known until 1820 the cure for fever and malaria was
52
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
cinchona bark ; but it was scarce and expensive. Vac-
cination had not been discovered, and small pox was
frequent and fatal. The poorest man when injured
has now better surgical attention than could be pro-
cured at that time at any price.
There was little to be seen in the household that was
not the product of the soil. In every home could be
found the spinning wheel, and the housewife, besides
her other duties, did the weaving of the material used
for clothing, with the aid of her daughters ; and around
the open fire in the long winter evenings their deft
fingers plied the knitting needles. The furniture was
of the simplest kind and stoves were unknown. Can-
dles or the roaring fire served the purpose of lighting
the room. Sewing machines, kerosene lamps and hun-
dreds of modern conveniences had not come into use.
Traveling was done on horseback or in lumbering vehi-
cles, and visits along the water were made in boats.
CHAPTER V.
ORGANIZATION OF HARFORD COUNTY.
INCONVENIENCE ON ACCOUNT OF REMOVAL OF COUNTY SEAT TO
BALTIMORE — PETITION FOR NEW COUNTY — HENRY HARFORD —
LEGISLATIVE ACT FOR FORMATION OF NEW COUNTY.
After the county seat had been removed from Joppa
to the present city of Baltimore in 1768, our people, for
the first time in their history, had their court placed
far from their habitations, and this produced constant
inconvenince and vexations. To serve upon the jury
or to have their disputes heard and determined neces-
sitated long rides that required our fathers a day to
go and another to return, when they had been accus-
tomed to have their seat of justice within easy reach.
On this account they could not take the same active
part in public affairs as they had theretofore. So a
petition was presented to the Legislature of 1773,
which resulted in the passage of a law for a new
county to be known by the name of Harford.
In the year 1771, Frederick, the sixth Lord Balti-
more, died in Italy, aged forty-one years. He left no
legitimate children, and the title became extinct; but
by his will Henry Harford, a natural son, was made
proprietary of Maryland, though a minor, and the
county formed three years later was called Harford
from the young head of the province. After the Revo-
lution Henry Harford returned from England and
54
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
urged in person before the Maryland Legislature a
claim for six hundred and ninety-one thousand nine
hundred and sixty-five dollars and sixty-seven cents for
quit rents, and the further sum of eight hundred and
seventy-three thousand one hundred and seventy-six
dollars for lands. The Legislature rejected his claim,
but he with other loyalists received a considerable in-
demnity from the British government, and about the
sum of ten thousand pounds sterling was also obtained
by him from the State’s stock then in England.* The
act of the Legislature authorizing the formation of the
county is as follows :
AN ACT FOR THE DIVISION OF BALTIMORE
COUNTY, AND FOR ERECTING A NEW
ONE BY THE NAME OF HARFORD,— Lib.
Rg., Fol. 239.
Whereas, A considerable body of the inhabitants
of Baltimore county, by their petition to this General
Assembly have prayed, that an act may be passed for
a division of the said county, and for erecting a new
one out of part thereof : And whereas it appears to
this General Assembly, that the erecting of a new
county out of such part of Baltimore county will con-
duce greatly to the ease and convenience of the people
thereof ;
II. Be It Therefore Enacted, by the right hon-
orable the Lord Proprietary, by and with the advice
and consent of his Governor, and the Upper and Lower
Houses of Assembly, and the authority of the same,
That after the second day of March next, all that part
of Baltimore county which is included within the
bounds following, to wit : Beginning at the mouth of
the little falls of Gunpowder river, and running with
the said falls to the fountain head, and from thence
♦Griffith’s Annals.
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
55
north to the temporary line of this province, and thence
with the temporary line to Susquehanna river, thence
with Susquehanna to Chesapeake bay, and thence with
the said bay, including Spesutia and Pool’s Islands, to
the mouth of Gunpowder river, and thence up the said
river to the beginning aforesaid, shall be and is hereby
erected into a new county, by the name of Harford
county.
III. And Be It Enacted, That the inhabitants of
Harford county aforesaid shall have, hold and enjoy,
all such rights and privileges as are held and enjoyed
by the inhabitants of any county in the province.
IV. And Be It Enacted, That Mr. John Paca, Mr.
Aquila Hall, Mr. John Matthews, Mr. John Hall, of
Cranberry Mr. Amos Garrott, Mr. Richard Dallam
and Mr. Benedict Edward Hall shall be and are hereby
appointed commissioners for Harford county aforesaid,
and they, or the major part of them, shall be and they
are hereby authorized and required, to buy and pur-
chase, in fee, a quantity of land, not exceeding four
acres of land, in or adjoining to Bushtown, on the head
•of Bush river, for the purpose of building thereon a
courthouse and prison for the said county, and shall
cause the said land to be laid out by the surveyor of
Baltimore county, with good and sufficient boundaries,
and a certificate thereof to be returned and recorded in
the records of the said county ; and the said commission-
ers, or the major part of them, shall draw their order on
the sheriff of Harford county, to pay such sum as shall
be agreed upon for the said land, and the sheriff is
hereby directed and required to pay the said order out
of the money hereafter mentioned, to be collected by
him for that purpose ; and such payment for the land
aforesaid shall invest the justices of Harford county,
and their successors, with an estate in fee-simple
therein, for the use of the said county, for ever ; and if
the said commissioners, or the major part of them, and
the owner of the said land, should differ about the
value of the said land, in such case the commissioners,
56 HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
or the major part of them, shall be and they are hereby
authorized and empowered to order the sheriff of Bal-
timore county to summon twelve freeholders upon the
said land, who shall be impanelled and sworn as a jury,
to inquire the value of the said land ; and the said com-
missioners, or the major part of them, shall draw their
order upon the sheriff of Harford county to pay the
said valuation, and the said sheriff is hereby directed
to pay the said order out of the money hereafter men-
tioned, to be by him collected for that purpose, and
upon his payment of the said order, the fee-simple in
the said land shall be invested as aforesaid in the jus-
tices of Harford county, and their successors, for the
use of the said county for ever.
V. And Be It Enacted, That the justices of Har-
ford county, or the major part of them, are hereby
authorized to contract and agree for a convenient place
in Bushtown to hold the courts for the said county,
and to contract and agree for a convenient place in the
said town for their books, papers and other records,
and also for a fit building for the custody of prisoners ;
and the said courts shall be held, and records kept, at
such places, respectively, until the courthouse and
prison for the said county shall be erected and built,
and the charge and expense of such places shall be
defrayed by the said county, and assessed with the pub-
lic and county levy.
VI. And Be It Enacted, That the justices of Har-
ford county shall be and they are hereby authorized and
required to assess and levy on the taxable inhabitants
of the said county, with the public and county levy, as
much tobacco as will pay for the purchase or valuation
of the land aforesaid, together with the sheriff’s salary
of five per centum for collection; which said quantity
of tobacco shall be collected by the sheriff of the said
county from the taxable inhabitants of the said county,
in the same manner as other public and county levies
are by law collected, and the said tobacco, when col-
lected, shall be paid by the sheriff to such person or
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY. 5 ?
persons as the commissioners aforesaid, or the major
part of them, shall order and direct.
VII. And Whereas the taxable inhabitants of that
part of Baltimore county hereby erected into Harford
county, have paid a proportionate quantity of tobacco
towards the building the courthouse and prison in Bal-
timore-town, in Baltimore county: And whereas a
considerable sum of money was raised by the sale of
the old courthouse and prison at Joppa, and applied
towards erecting the said courthouse and prison; and
forasmuch as justice requires, that the said propor-
tionable quantity of tobacco, and a proportionable part
of the said money, should be refunded, and applied
towards the building of the courthouse and prison now
to be erected in Harford county; Be It Therefore
Enacted, that the justices of Baltimore county shall be
and they are hereby authorized and required to assess
and levy, by two equal assesments, the next year and
year afterwards, with their public and county levy, the
quantity of one hundred and fifty-four thousand six
hundred and sixty-six pounds of tobacco, in and upon
the taxable inhabitants .of Baltimore county, together
with the sheriff’s salary of five per centum for collec-
tion, which said quantity of tobacco, so to be assessed
and levied, shall be collected by the sheriff of Baltimore
county from the taxable inhabitants thereof, in the
same manner as other public and county levies are by
law collected, and the said tobacco, when collected, shall
be paid by the said sheriff to the commissioners afore-
said, and shall be by them applied towards building the
courthouse and prison in the said county of Harford.
VIII. And Be It Enacted, That the justices of
Harford county shall be and they are hereby authorized
and required to assess and levy with the public and
county levy, by two equal assessments, in the next year
and the year afterwards, the quantity of two hundred
thousand pounds of tobacco, together with the sheriff’s
salary of five per centum for collection, which said to-
bacco, so to be assessed and levied, shall be collected by
58 HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
the sheriff of Harford county from the taxable inhabi-
tants of the said county, in the same manner as other
public and county levies are by law collected ; which
said tobacco, when collected, shall be paid by the said
sheriff to the commissioners aforesaid, and applied by
them towards building the courthouse and prison afore-
said for the said county.
IX. And Be It Enacted, That the commissioners
aforesaid, or the major part of them, shall be and they
are hereby authorized and required to contract and
agree for the building of the said courthouse and
prison, which said courthouse and prison shall be built
and erected on the land to be purchased as aforesaid,
in or adjoining to Bushtown, on the head of Bush
river ; and the said town, after the commencement of
this act, shall be called Harford Town.
X. And Be It Enacted, That all causes, pleas, pro-
cess and pleadings, which now are or shall be depend-
ing in Baltimore county court before the second day of
March next, shall and may be prosecuted as effectually
as they might have been had this act never been made ;
and in case any deeds or conveyances of lands in
Harford county have been made, or shall be before the
division aforesaid, acknowledged according to law in
Baltimore county, the enrolment or recording thereof
within the time limited by law, either in the county
court of Baltimore county, or in the county court of
Harford county, shall be good and available, the divi-
sion aforesaid notwithstanding.
XI. And Be It Enacted, That the justices of Balti-
more county shall be and they are hereby empowered,
upon application, to issue executions, or other legal
process, upon all judgments had and obtained, or to
be had and obtained, in Baltimore county court, against
any inhabitant of Harford county, and to enforce the
same, which said writs shall be directed to the sheriff
of Harford county, and the said sheriff is hereby
authorized and directed to serve and return the same
to Baltimore county court, with the body or bodies of
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
59
the person or persons, if taken, against whom such writ
or writs shall issue for that purpose ; and during the
attendance of the sheriff of Harford county at Balti-
more county court, he shall have a power to confine in
Baltimore county gaol, if he should think it necessary,
such persons as he shall have in execution; but after
his attendance shall be dispensed with by the said court,
he shall then, in a reasonable time, remove such per-
sons as he shall have in execution to Harford county
gaol, there to be kept till legally discharged.
XII. And Be It Enacted, That the public and
county levy now assessed or levied, or to be levied and
assessed by the justices of Baltimore county court at
their levy court for the present year, shall and may be
collected and received by the sheriff of Baltimore
county, as well of the taxable inhabitants of Harford
as of Baltimore county, and collected, accounted for
and applied, in such manner as the said public and
county levy would have been collected, accounted for
and applied, had this act never been made.
XIII. And Be It Enacted, That the several dele-
gates for Baltimore county shall retain their seats, and
that such of them as are residents in Baltimore county,
after the division aforesaid, shall be deemed and taken
as delegates for that county, and such of them as are
residents in Harford county, shall be deemed and taken
delegates for that county, and writs of election shall
issue to make up the number of delegates wanted in
either county, to complete the usual and common
county representation.
XIV. And Be It Enacted, That the county court
of Harford county shall begin, and be held yearly, on
the fourth Tuesday of those months in which other
county courts are held, and shall have equal power and
jurisdiction with any county court in this province.
CHAPTER VI.
ORGANIZATION OF COUNTY— Continued.
FIRST RECORDS — SWEARING IN LORDS JUSTICES — APPOINTMENT OF
CLERK, SHERIFF AND STATENS ATTORNEY — DIVISION OF COUNTY
INTO HUNDREDS AND APPOINTMENT OF CONSTABLES — FIRST
GRAND JURY — FIRST PETIT JURY — COUNTY SEAT AT HARFORD
TOWN, OR BUSH.
In accordance with the direction of this Act of
Assembly the first term of court for Harford county
was held at Harford Town, or Bush, on the 22nd day
of March, in the year 1774, and then and there was
put into operation the machinery for the government of
the county thus created, and a new child came into the
household of the State. With the proceedings of the
first court there comes to us the spirit of the times
when great events were maturing, when the nation was
about to come into being, and when the American Re-
public was about to be admitted into the family of
nations.
Harford’s part in the Revolution will be related later
on, and as the order is most convenient, an account
of the formation and the first proceedings of the
county government will be more particularly given.
Of that eventful 22nd day of March, 1774, the follow-
ing is the proceeding as taken from the records of our
court :
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY. 6l
Tuesday, 22nd of March, 1774.
Maryland , Harford County , to wit:
Be it remembered that the Right Honourable Henry
Harford, Esquire, absolute Lord and Proprietary of
the Province of Maryland, sent his commission, closed
under the seal of the said Province, in the usual Form,
which Commission was distinctly read and published,
and thereupon Aquila Hall, Gentleman by Virtue of
the Dedimus indorsed on the said Commission admin-
istered the severall oaths appointed by Act of Asembly
to be taken to the government as also the Oath of
Judge or Justice to Thomas Bond, Son of Thomas,
Jeremiah Sheredine, Benedict Edward Hall, William
Webb and Aquila Paca, Gentlemen, who did severally
subscribe the Test and Oath of Abjuration, and being
so qualified, did then also agreeable to the directions
of the said Dedimus, administer the severall Oaths
appointed by Act of Assembly to be taken to Govern-
ment as also the Oath of Judge or Justice to Aquila
Hall, Amos Garrett and John Beal Howard, Gentle-
men who, also, severally subscribed the Test and Oath
of Abjuration. Alexander Lawson of Baltimore
County, Gentleman, produces to the said Justices to
wit Aquila Hall, Amos Garrett, John Beal Howard,
Thomas Bond, Jeremiah Sheredine, Benedict Edward
Hall, William Webb and Aquila Paca, a Commission
from the Honourable Daniel Dulany, Esquire, Secre-
tary of the Province of Maryland, bearing date the
tenth day of March, Seventeen Hundred and Seventy-
Four, whereby the said Alexander Lawson is or-
dained, constituted and appointed Clerk and Keeper
of the Records of Harford County aforesaid in the
usual Form. Whereupon the said Alexander Lawson
qualifies himself as Clerk by taking the severall Oaths
appointed by Act of Assembly to be taken to Govern-
ment and repeating and subscribing the Test and Oath
of Abjuration, And the said Alexander Lawson then
before the said Justices entered into Bond with two
sufficient securities for the due Execution his said office
62
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
of Clerk and Keeper of the Records according to Law
after having taken the Oath of Office as required by
Law.
Thomas Miller, Gentleman, produces to the said Jus-
tices here a Commission from the Right Honourable
Henry Harford, Esquire, absolute Lord and Proprie-
tary of Maryland, to be Sheriff of Harford County,
bearing date the second day of March, Seventeen
Hundred and Seventy- four. Whereupon the said
Thomas Miller was qualified by taking the severall
Oaths appointed by Act of Assembly to be taken to
Government, repeating and subscribing the Test and
Oath of Abjuration and also taking the Oath of Sher-
iff. And the said Thomas Miller then in the presence
of the Justices aforesaid, gave Bond for the due per-
formance of his said Office of Sheriff of Harford
County according to Law.
John Long is appointed Crier of Harford County
Court by the Justices aforesaid.
Afterwards, to wit, on this fourth Tuesday in
March, being the twenty-second day of the same
Month in the Third Year of the Dominion of the
Right Honourable Henry Harford, Esquire, absolute
Lord and Proprietary of the Province of Maryland,
and in the year of our Lord One Thousand Seven
hundred and Seventy-four, at the Court House in Har-
ford Town in Harford County, the following Justices
to wit, Aquila Hall, Amos Garrett, John Beal Howard,
Thomas Bond, Jeremiah Sheredine, Benedict Edward
Hall, William Webb and Aquila Paca, Gentlemen, so
appointed and qualified commanded Proclamation
to be made for opening the court for the said County
of Harford, which was accordingly thereupon done
in the usual Manner on the Day and at the Place last
aforesaid.
Justices Present:
Aquila Hall, William Webb,
Amos Garrett, Jeremiah Sheredine,
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
63
J. Beal Howard, Aquila Paca,
Thomas Bond, Benedict Edward Hall,
Gentlemen.
George Chalmers of Baltimore County produces a
Commission from Thomas Jenings, Esquire, Attorney-
Generall in and over the Province of Maryland, to be
Clerk of Indictment and Prosecutor of the Lord Pro-
prietaries Pleas civil and Criminall in the said County
of Harford and qualified himself by taking the severall
Oaths appointed by Act of Assembly to be taken to
Government, repeating and subscribing the Test and
Oath of Abjuration and taking Oath of Office accord-
ing to Law.
On motion made to the Court here, Benjamin Rum-
sey, George Chalmers, Francis Curtis, Robert Alexan-
der, Jeremiah Townly Chase, Robert Buchanan and
Aquila Hall, Esquires, were admitted as Attornies at
Law of this Court, after taking the Oaths appointed
by Act of Assembly to be taken to Government, re-
peating and subscribing the Test and Oath of Abjura-
tion and taking the Oath of an Attorney.
Thomas Chalmers taking the Oaths appointed by
Act of Assembly, to be taken to Government, repeating
and subscribing the Test and subscribing the Oath of
Abjuration was appointed Deputy Clerk of said
County.
The said Samuel Smith, Servant,
John Johnson, is adjudged by the Court to serve
against John Johnson, his said Master, ten
Samuel Smith, Days after the Expiration of his
Servant. present Time of Servitude for Run-
away Time and also to serve his said
Master the further space of six
months after the Expiration of the aforementioned
Ten Days of Servitude or pay him the Sum of six
Pounds eight Shillings and eleven Pence common
Money.
The Court divides the County into the Hundreds
64 HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
of — Gunpowder Lower, Deer Creek Upper and Lower,
Bush River Upper, Bush River Lower, Spesutia Up-
per, Spesutia Lower and Susquehannah, according to
the Metes and Boundaries of the said Hundreds as re-
corded in Baltimore County Court except as to that part
of Mine Run Hundred left in this County by the Divi-
sion line of Baltimore and Harford Counties, which is
added to Bush River Upper Hundred.
The Court appoints the following Constables, to wit :
Billingsly Roberts, Constable of Gunpowder Lower
Hundred.
William Fisher, Junior, Constable of Deer Creek
Upper Hundred.
Samuel Jenkins, Constable of Deer Creek Lower
Hundred.
Samuel Day, Constable of Bush River Upper Hun-
dred.
Joseph Morris, Constable of Bush River Lower
Hundred.
Hugh Jefferys, Constable of Spesutia Upper Hun-
dred.
James Taylor, Constable of Spesutia Lower Hun-
dred.
James Horner, Constable of Susquehannah.
The Court adjourns till Tomorow Morning 10
o’clock.
Court met the next day, March 23, all the justices
being present except William Webb.
It was that day ordered that a service be directed
to the sheriff of this county for the purpose of sum-
moning a grand and petit jury to serve at the next
County Court.
There is an entry that “the Court has rented the
house wherein Thomas Miller now keeps store from
Mr. Aquila Hall at the rate of twelve pounds common
money yearly, and allowed Mr. Thomas Miller ten
pounds common money for repairing the said house so
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY. 65
as to be fit for the reception of prisoners. Mr. Miller
must not exceed ten pounds money aforesaid in the
repair of said house.”
“The Court agrees with Daniel Pritchard to build a
temporary goal twenty-four feet by twenty, two stories
high, and appoints Mr. Amos Garrett and Mr. Jere-
miah Sheredine to take bond from said Daniel Pritch-
ard for the performance of his agreement and to super-
intend the building.”
The jail was never built, as the county seat was re-
moved to Bel Air, which soon eclipsed its ancient rival
on the old post road, and the latter is now not even a
village, although there are said to have been fine hotels
at Bush at the time Lafayette passed through with his
army during the Revolution.
The first grand jury for Harford county met at Har-
ford Town, or Bush, on August 23, 1774, and con-
sisted of :
Levin Mathews, Foreman. Samuel Durham,
George Garrettson,
James Mathews,
Edward Hall,
William Hall,
Barnett Preston,
Henry Watters,
Thomas Smithson,
George
Nathan Horner,
James More,
Bennett Matthews,
John Barclay,
John Hays,
Mordicai Amos,
Lemuel Howard,
Bradford.
Asbery Cord was bailiff. There was a charge deliv-
ered to the grand jury as is now the custom in our
court. The grand jury was discharged on Saturday,
August 27. There are eighty-nine cases on the crimi-
nal docket for the August term, 1774. Most of them
66
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
appear to be misdemeanors, but the docket entries are
so meagre that it is impossible to know fully the nature
or the disposition of the cases.
First petit jury for Harford county:
Freeborn Brown, Richard Ruff,
James Giles, Amos Hollis,
William Jones, Joseph Lewis,
Benj. Burgess Chesney, John Durham,
William Kitely, Thos. Johnson, of Joseph,
Edward Norris, James Little,
Richard Curzan, William De Brular.
Henry Wetherall,
CHAPTER VII.
BEL AIR CHOSEN THE COUNTY SEAT.
OTHER PLACES VOTED FOR — ANOTHER ELECTION CALLED — SCOTT'S
OLD FIELDS, OR BEL AIR, WINS AGAIN — AQUILA SCOTT OF
JAMES CONVEYS LAND IN BEL AIR TO COUNTY — COURT HOUSE
AT BEL AIR — ORDERS FOR OPENING ROADS, ETC. — HARFORD IN
THE EARLY DAYS THE CHIEF SECTION OF BALTIMORE COUNTY,
WITH THE FIRST TWO COUNTY SEATS.
On January 22, 1782, an act was passed for an eleC'
tiori to determine at what place the courthouse and
prison of Harford county should be built, and the
places named in the act to be voted for were Harford
Town, (or Bush), Otter Point, Cross Roads (other-
wise Gravelly Hill), Lower Cross Roads (Church-
ville), and Aquila Scott’s Old Field (now Bel Air).
The act provided that if only two should be voted for
the place receiving the highest number of votes to be
the county seat, but if more than two should be voted
for then another election was to be held between the
two receiving the greatest number of votes at the first
election.
The justices of Harford county were by this act
authorized to purchase in fee four acres at the place to
be selected as the county seat, and in the meantime to
rent buildings for the court and the prison.
Scott’s Old Field, or Belle Air , as it was then
called, won at this election, but this did not settle the
68
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
matter, for we find by an act passed January 20, 1787,
an election was authorized to determine “whether the
courthouse and prison of Harford county shall be
erected at Bel Air or at Havre de Grace,” and John
Archer, Benedict E. Hall, William Smith (Bayside),
John Taylor and Jesse Jarrett, and any two or more of
them were appointed commissioners for the purpose of
holding the election.”
The preamble of this act recites “whereas sundry
inhabitants of Harford have petitioned this General
Assembly for a law to remove the seat of justice in
said county from Bel Air to Havre de Grace and
sundry other inhabitants of said county have remon-
strated against said petiton and prayed that the seat
of justice therein should continue at the place already
established by law ; whereas it appears to this General
Assembly to be right and proper that the said dispute
should be finally determined by an election of the peo-
ple, to which said parties have consented,” etc.
The act also prohibits the commissioners from re-
ceiving votes for any place except Bel Air and Havre
de Grace, whereas in the former election to determine
the place of the county seat, Otter Point, Cross Roads,
&c., were authorized to be voted for. The election was
held at Bel Air, which place was chosen as the county
seat, and has since remained such, beginning at that
time and continuing to this day to be the subject of the
criticism which attaches to all county seats. But de-
spite all this, the history of Bel Air and the lives and
conduct of its people, their deportment, cultivation and
refinement will compare favorably with any town in
the State.
On April 27, 1782, Aquila Scott of James conveyed
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY. 69
by deed recorded in Liber J. L. G. No. H, folio 103,
two and five-eighths acres to Harford county for the
purpose of a courthouse and prison. The considera-
tion named was twenty-two pounds six shillings and
three pence, or about one hundred and ten dollars.
The lot is described by courses and distances in the
survey and plat made by Daniel Scott, surveyor of
Harford county, and was rectangular in form. This
is the lot now occupied by the courthouse and jail, and
extended also to the present Bond street, in Belair. The
lots on which the Masonic Temple and the Harford
National Bank of Belair now stand belonged to this
lot. Recently a small parcel of ground of about thirty
feet front, adjoining this, was sold for fifteen hundred
dollars.
The courthouse at Bel Air was not built at the time
of the passage of this act, although court had met
there for several years, for the act last stated provides
for temporarily renting buildings for the courthouse
and jail at the place which might be selected, and
authorized the justices of Harford county to contract
“as soon as might be for the building of a courthouse
and prison” at the place determined on by the election
as above stated. The stone building at the junction of
the Harford pike with Main street, in Bel Air, was
used temporarily for this purpose.
By the act of 1787 (William Smallwood, Governor),
John Eager Howard, James Calhoun, of Baltimore
county, and William Smith (Bayside), Gabriel Chris-
tie and Samuel Griffith, of Harford, were appointed
commissioners to “straighten and amend the post road
from Havre de Grace to Baltimore Town.” This road
passes by Aberdeen, Bush, Abingdon and Van Bibber,
70 HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
and a hundred years before, in the petition to remove
the courthouse from Bush river neck to Winter’s Run,
was alluded to as the “path that runs from the Poto-
mack to the Susquehanna.”
The first courthouse at Bel Air seems to have been
in process of being built in 1788, for by the act of the
General Assembly of that year, chapter 23, (John
Eager Howard, Governor), the justices of Harford
county were “empowered to assess on the assessable
property of the county the sum of two shillings and
six pence on every hundred pounds worth of property
to complete the public buildings of said county and
for other purposes.” By the same act Baltimore county
was required to make a contribution to the building
of the Harford courthouse, etc., because the people of
the new (Harford) county had helped to build the
courthouse at Baltimore Town.
And by the act of 1790 a further tax of five hundred
pounds current money was authorized to be levied for
the completion of the public buildings.
By chapter 70, of the act of 1791, (George Plater,
Governor), it was directed that the following roads
should be laid out, surveyed, marked and bounded in
the manner hereafter directed, viz : one road beginning
at the Pennsylvania line where the road from Peach
Bottom Ferry, on the river Susquehanna, intersects
the said line, and from thence to Thomas Underhill’s
Mills, on Deer creek, (afterwards Preston’s Mills),
and from thence into the most convenient road leading
to Baltimore Town; one other road leading from the
Bald Friar Ferry, on said river, to Belle Air, and
from thence in as straight a direction as the situation of
the ground will admit towards Baltimore Town, as
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY. 7 1
far as the line of Baltimore county, at the Little falls
of the Gunpowder river; and one other road leading
from Belle Air aforesaid to the Lower Cross Roads;
from thence to the ferry known by the name of Smith’s
Ferry, on Susquehanna river, and that all public roads
within the said county may and shall be straightened
and amended. The same act provides that Alexander
Rigdon, John Stump, John Carlisle, John Weston,
Samuel Raine, John Tredway and James Johnson be
appointed commissioners for the purpose of laying out
said roads.
By the act of 1795, chapter 63, (John H. Stone,
Governor), upon the petition of James Wilson, Samuel
Hughes, Gabriel Christie, Mark Pringle, Gibson Deni-
son, John Hall and John Lee Gibson, an act was passed
“for making an addition to the town of Havre de Grace
and to improve the navigation of the river Susque-
hanna and for other purposes.”
The act of 1798, chapter 22, (John Henry, Gov-
ernor), was entitled “an act to encourage the destruc-
tion of wolves and crows” in Harford county, the
allowance to be thirty dollars for an old wolf’s head
and four dollars for a young wolf’s head, and eight
cents for a crow.
I11 January, 1798, an act was passed for the valuation
of real and personal property within the State, and
Thomas Johnson, William Wilson, Jesse Jarrett, John
Western and Henry Richardson were appointed assess-
ors for Harford county.
The act of Assembly, passed January, 1800, (Benja-
min Ogle, Governor), was entitled an act to regulate
elections, and Jesse Jarrett, Daniel Thompson, John
72 HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
Bartley, Dennis Bond and Henry Vansickle were ap-
pointed commissioners to lay off, designate and number
the districts of Harford county and fix the places for
holding elections in each district.
By an act of the same session, John Clendenning,
Nathaniel West, Thomas Butler, William Whiteford
and Thomas Montgomery were appointed commission-
ers to lay out a public road beginning at Thomas Un-
derhill’s Mills, on Deer Creek, and to run in a direction
so as to intersect a public road leading from John
Neal’s to John Coxe’s, between Henry Richardson’s
and Amos Jones’.
It will be observed from the foregoing pages that
during the space of two hundred and twenty-five years,
counting from the date of the erection of the first
courthouse for Baltimore county, in Bush river neck, in
1675, to the present time, the people who have resided
within the present limits of Harford have had the
county seat within their boundaries for two hundred
years of that time. Thus Harford may be considered
as the parent county of the two except in name, and
may claim as her beautiful offspring and daughter the
present large and populous county which adjoins our
own on the west side of' the Little Falls of the Gunpow-
der.
CHAPTER VIII.
SELECTIONS FROM THE OLD RECORDS.
TAVERN LICENSES — GRAND AND PETIT JURIES — LUTHER MARTIN
ADMITTED TO PRACTICE AT HARFORD BAR — TAVERN RATES —
ROAD SUPERVISORS — COURTHOUSE AT BEL AIR OCCUPIED — FIRST
JUDGES — DESCRIPTION OF BUILDING — BURNING OF OLD COURT-
HOUSE AND CONSTRUCTION OF PRESENT BUILDING.
On petition of a number of citizens of the county
the Court appointed Bennet Mathews, James Mathews
and Jacob Bond, Jr., to view the road beginning at
Lawrence Clark’s old fields and leading from thence to
Howard’s ford on Winter’s run.
As many of the proceedings of the Court are routine
and there is so much of it, selections that may be
thought interesting, will be made from the records of
the next few years.
Ordinary (or tavern) licenses granted at August
term, 1774:
Joseph Stiles — Sureties, Aquila Hall and Thomas
Miller.
Nathaniel West — Sureties, Henry Wilson, Jr., and
Wm. Downes.
John Jameson — Sureties, Buchanan Smith and
Richard Cruzon.
Basil Smith — Sureties, John Durham and Bennet
Matthews.
74
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
Robert Bonar — Sureties, James Ellison and John
Hawthorn.
John Hawthorn — Sureties, John Blackburn and
Robert Bonar.
John Kean — Sureties, Thomas Bond and Mordicai
Amos.
John Rogers — Sureties, Aquila Hall and Jeremiah
Sheredine.
Araminta Shaw — Sureties, Samuel Lee and Joseph
Norris.
Thomas Smith — Sureties, James Horner and Rich-
ard Soward.
Robert Trimble — Sureties, William Downes and
David Tait.
Stephen Hill — Sureties, James Preston and Nathan
Scott.
Edward Robinson — Sureties, Charles Baker and
Daniel McComas.
William Wells — Sureties, Samuel Jenkins and Jos.
Norris.
Thomas Taylor — Sureties, John Beale Howard and
Alex. Cowen.
At the November term, 1774, the following is a list
of the grand jury, viz :
Freeborn Brown, Foreman.
Edmund Bull, Benjamin Scott,
Thomas James, Joshua Durham,
John McComas of Daniel, James Matthews,
George Patterson, Richard Ruff,
E. Carvil Tolley, William Downs,
Andrew Wilson, Charles Baker,
Richard Cruson, Francis Durben.
John Ross, Bailiff.
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
75
There was an appropriation of ten thousand pounds
of tobacco to defray in part the expense of building a
bridge over the Little Falls, and John Beale Howard
and Robert Bishop were appointed managers.
The Court appoints Jacob Bond, Sr., Henry Wilson,
Sr., Wm. Amos, Sr., and William Bull to view the
road from the Hickory Tavern to Winter’s Run at
Howard’s Ford, where the old road did formerly run
by Thomas Smithson’s, Samuel Durham’s and Daniel
Preston’s.
At the court which met at Bush March 23, 1779, the
following justices were present:
Aquila Hall, Thomas Johnson, John Love, Ign.
Wheeler, Samuel Groom Osborne and Aquila Paca.
John Lee Gibson, clerk.
The following are the names of the grand jurors for
that term of court, viz :
Joseph
Aquila Scott,
Richard Robinson,
Hugh Bay,
Richard Courson,
Robt. Jeffrey,
Asael Hitchcock,
Joseph Ashton,
Charles Taylor,
Joseph Hartley,
Brownly, Foreman.
John McComas,
William McCandley,
John Rutledge,
John Hall Hughes,
James Osborne,
Henry Warfield,
Patrick Creaton,
Plenry Vansickle.
George Dillion, Bailiff.
At this term of court, Luther Martin, the distin-
quished Maryland lawyer, afterwards Attorney-Gen-
eral of the State, and one of the counsel for Aaron Burr
at the impeachment trial at Richmond, appeared and
j6 HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
was admitted to practice before the Harford County
Court.
At a county court of the said State held for Harford
county at the courthouse, in said county, at Harford
town, on the twenty-eighth day of March, seventeen
hundred and eighty, before the worshipful justices of
the same court, of whom were present Messrs. James
Giles, Jas. Philips, John Love, William Smithson,
Samuel Groom Osborne, Robt. Amoss, John Archer.
Grand jury :
Joseph Stiles,
Joseph Brownley,
Fras. Billingsley,
Daniel Norris,
Jas. Moore,
Robt. Creswell,
Daniel Bailess,
John Chancey,
John McComas,
Wm. Fisher,
John Cooley,
The early minutes of the court are composed chiefly
of records of the justices present, the grand and petit
jurors, commissions to perpetuate boundaries and
records of binding out minors and appointing guard-
ians. The court in those early days seems to have
exercised the functions of the judge, Orphans’ Court,
register of wills and county commissioners of the pres-
ent day.
As these early juries furnish a number of names of
the reputable people of the county of that day full lists
John Clark,
Arch Beaty,
John McAdoo,
Wm. Bradford,
John Stenson,
Michael Gilbert,
John Hay,
Gilbert Jones,
Joshua Brown,
George Dew.
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
77
of the panels at intervals of a few years are set out here,
and in them the descendants of nearly every old family
of the county of the present day will find an ancestor.
There seems to be no record of the proceedings of
the court for 1782. It is probable that the removal of
the county seat so upset the lords justices and their
clerk that it was about a year before they got settled,
but on March 25, 1783, we find them holding court at
Scott’s Old Fields (Bel Air), at which court there
were present :
Thomas Johnson, Wm Smithson,
Abrm. Whitacre, Wm. Bond.
Grand jury, March,
James Moore,
Joseph Lewis,
Samuel Webb,
Ben. Silvers,
Hollis Horner,
Samuel Litton,
Robt. B. Landon,
Richard Robinson,
Fras. Billingsley,
1783:
Thos. Durbin,
Michael Mather,
Wm. Colthough,
Jas. Hanna,
Wm. Bosley,
Freeborn Brown,
Hugh Jeffrey,
John Fulton.
Stephen Hill, Bailiff.
The commission of the peace was produced and read
in court March 27, 1783, and court adjourned for one
hour.
The petit jurors for that term were:
A. Rigdon, Jas. Armstrong,
Samuel Durham, Wm. Coale,
Leas Billingsley, Aquila Scott of James,
Wm. Robinson, Wm. Jones,
Dennis Bond, Wm. Whiteford,
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
78
Jas. Sedgwick,
John Montgomery,
John Barclay,
Bernard Preston,
John McComas,
Wm. McComas,
Daniel Smithson,
Jas. Carroll.
At the term of court held at the same place, com-
mencing August 26, 1783, on application of James
Amos for persons to view a road leading from the
Cross Roads to Cooptown, the Court appointed An-
drew Tate and Lemuel Howard.
Tavern Rates Affixed by the Court'.
Hot dinner, with beer or cider 2s.
Cold dinner, with beer or cider is.6d.
Breakfast or supper, with green tea is.6d.
Overseers of the public roads in Harford county,
1784:
Joseph Toy, overseer of the road from the black-
smith shop, where Mrs. Finnegan formerly lived, to
the lower ford on Winter’s run, from the upper ford
on said run to Binam’s run.
Daniel Ruff, overseer from Hall’s Mill to the smith
shop where Mrs. Finnegan formerly lived, and from
said shop to Otter Point.
William Smith (Bayside), overseer from Susque-
hanna lower to the Cranberry bridge.
Jacob For wood,
Greenberry Dorsey,
William Hall,
George Patterson,
Edward Hall,
George Lytle,
Overseers of all the public
roads from the end of Col.
Hall’s lane to Harford
Town (Bush).
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY. 79
Josias Hall, overseer from the Cranberry bridge to
Humphrey’s run.
John Patterson, overseer from Humphrey’s run to
Harford town.
Lambert Wilmer and Joseph Presbury, overseers
from the lower ford on Winter’s run to the lower part
of the Gunpowder neck, from the ford of the road to
where Wm. Doughtridge now lives, to Joppa, and
from Joppa to Winter’s run, on the old road.
William Smith, Gunpowder upper from Smithson’s
ford to Captain Kell’s, from Mapleford along the new
road to David Harry’s.
Charles Taylor, Gunpowder upper, from Wm. Rich-
ardson’s to the Cross roads; from thence to Benjamin
Amos’s mills ; from Shorper’s lane to the ford on the
Little Falls, near Thomas Blearney’s Fullering Mill,
and from Shorper’s to the widow Stuart’s on Winter’s
run.
John Rutledge, overseer from Thomas Bond’s on
the Little falls of the gunpowder to the Upper Cross
roads.
John Green, from the Widow Bay’s to Scott’s fields ;
from thence to Binam’s run, the Deer Creek road;
from thence by said Samuel Durham’s to Bull’s Mill.
Henry Stump, Richard Croyon,
Thos. Mitchell, Michah Gilbert,
Susquehanna hundred, in-
cluding the northern and east-
ern limits, and lay out them
as nearly equal as possible.
David Lee, Gunpowder Upper, from the mill to
Joppa.
8o
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
William McComas, from the bridge on the Little
falls to Winter’s run.
James Trapwell, same hundred — from George Gar-
retson’s up to John Wilson’s Mill; from the school-
house to the Quaker Meeting House ; from the school-
house to Buckler Bond’s Mill; from the schoolhouse
to Bull’s ford on Winter’s run.
Benjamin Rumsey, from Joppa to Amoss’ Mills.
The first record of the change of name from Scott’s
Fields to Bel Air we find in the minutes of March 22,
1785, where the expression is used “at a county court
held for Harford county at the courthouse in the
town of Bel Air,” etc. ; but at the August term of the
same year it is again called Scott’s Old Fields, and in
the November term Bel Air is again mentioned as the
name.
The following is a list
term of Court, viz :
William Bradford,
James Walker,
William Luckey,
Andrew Lindsay,
James Barnet,
Joseph Carroll,
Buck Bond,
David Harry,
Robert Coon,
of the Grand Jury for that
Thomas A. Thompson,
Richard Robinson,
John Guyton,
Robert Glenn,
Thomas Hope,
James Moore,
Thomas Gast,
John Fulton.
Samuel Day, Bailiff.
At that term an application was made by John Coo-
ley and Daniel Sheridine for a commission to view the
road leading from Cox’s Mill to Rock Run, and the
Cumberland Forge from Nathaniel Baley’s to the
Elbow branch. The Court appointed Nathaniel Baley,
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY. 8 1
John Rogers, Samuel Gover and Ambrose Gohaghan
as the commission.
There are a great number of records of apprentice-
ship among these early minutes, the binding out being
in the following form :
“Nathaniel Gordon, an orphan, aged thirteen years,
is bound by the Court to Jacob Donavan until he
arrives at the age of twenty-one years ; said master is
to teach said apprentice the art and mystery of a cord-
wainer ; teach him to read, write and cypher as far as
the rule of three, and give him the customary freedom
dues.”
These freedom dues seem to have caused much liti-
gation, and there are records of many suits brought
against masters on account of their non-payment.
A frequent ground of complaint was on account of
the master not keeping the apprentice to his trade, and
the Court would hear and determine by remanding
the apprentice to the service of the master, or if the
charge should prove well-founded by revoking the ap-
prenticeship and discharging the complainant.
The courthouse at Bel Air seems to have been first
occupied at the March term in 1791, at which time we
find our modem custom of three regular judges. The
names of the first three judges were Benjamin Nichol-
son, Samuel Hughes and Benedict Edward Hall.
The courthouse which was then first used was built
of brick and occupied the same position as the present
court building in Bel Air. It had wings to the north
and south. The wing on the north was used for the
clerk’s office, and that on the south for the office of the
register of wills. The courtroom was down stairs, and
the floor was made of bricks. Within the rail where
82 HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
the lawyers and jury sat the floor was raised, and the
bench, or judges’ seat, was high above like a pulpit.
There were two immense open fireplaces in the room,
in which hickory of cordwood lengths was burned.
The other county officers were on the second floor, the
steps to which went up from the outside, starting at
the front door and slanting towards the south. The
steps had no covering, and as the grand jury room was
upstairs that body in passing from their room to the
court and back again had to go out of doors, as also
with the petit jury. There was a landing at the head
of the steps, and from this landing it was customary
for political speakers to address their audiences.
This courthouse was burned on the night of Febru-
ary 19, 1858, the main building being entirely de-
stroyed, but the offices of clerk and register of wills,
which were situated in the wings, were preserved with
all the valuable records. The only records of value
that were destroyed by the fire were those of the
county commissioners’ office, which was situated up-
stairs. The Legislature was in session at the time,
and the fire had not been entirely extinguished be-
fore a committee set forth for Annapolis on the
following morning to secure the passage of an act
authorizing the erection of a new courthouse. This
act was passed on the 25th of February, 1858, and by it
Stevenson Archer, Henry S. Harlan, A. Lingan Jar-
ret, James McCormick and William H. Dallam were
appointed commissioners to contract for and superin-
tend the construction of the new building. There was
authority to borrow money and issue bonds to the
amount of twenty thousand dollars, and it is to the
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
83
credit of the commission that the building was com-
pleted within the amount named and a surplus handed
over to the county commissioners.
The courthouse built by the commission above
named is the structure which is the present court
building at Bel Air.
During the construction of the new courthouse in
1858-9 the building of the Masonic Order and Union
Church, which stood on the lot now occupied by the
Masonic Temple and the Harford National Bank, was
used as a temporary court.
While on the subject of the construction of the court-
house it was thought better to get ahead of our narra-
tive and thus finish up that subject, and we will now
go back to the regular course in the old building.
The list of the local attorneys of the court in 1791 is
as follows :
Francis Curtis, T. Hollingsworth,
Robert Smith, John Montgomery,
William Pinkney, Archibald Robison.
Aquila Hall,
The grand jurors for the August term, 1791, were
Samuel Smith, Foreman.
Jacob Norris,
William Osborn,
William McComas,
James Wetherall,
James Bond of William,
Thomas Thompson,
Nathan Baker,
Andrew Turner,
Samuel
Alexander Rigdon,
William Allender,
Thomas Gast,
James Renshaw,
William Norris,
Corbin Onion,
Robert Taylor,
Levin Mathews.
Day, Bailiff.
84
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
The petit jury
Richard Bull,
Samuel Bond,
Charles Waters,
Philip Garrison,
Aquila Miles,
Michael Gilbert,
Thomas Jeffrey,
Robert Harris,
Samuel Webb,
Joshua Miles,
James Barnett,
for that term were :
John Streett,
Godfrey Waters,
Bernard Preston of James,
John Moore,
Mark McGovern,
Joseph Hays,
Pierce Creight,
Michael Mathews,
Sedwick James,
vSho. Denbow.
CHAPTER IX.
OLD RECORDS — Continued.
WILLIAM PINKNEY LOCATES AT BEL AIR — BASIS OF ASSESSMENT —
TAX RATE — MEMBERS OF THE BAR IN 1 796 — JURIES — ROBERT
AMOSS, JR., SHERIFF — JUDGES OF ELECTION — JOHN LEE GIBSON
RESIGNS AS CLERK — HENRY DORSEY, OF EDWARD, APPOINTED
CLERK.
On the 1 2th of April, 1790, the court, with the fol-
lowing justices present, viz: Thomas Bond, William
Smithson, James McComas, John Barclay, Edward
Prall and Ignatius Wheeler, authorized William Pink-
ney to act as attorney for the county in a dispute be-
tween Harford and Baltimore counties, which was to
be heard at the courthouse at Baltimore town on the
2nd Monday in May, 1790. The arbitrators named in
the act of Assembly were William Smithson for Har-
ford county and John Smith for Baltimore county.
William Pinkney, afterwards Attorney-General of
the United States and Senator from Maryland in the
United States Senate, passed the bar at Bel Air, and
for several years practiced at that court. He lived in
the hip-roofed house on the pike in Bel Air, just oppo-
site the end of Bond street, and his office was located
on the southwest corner of Main street and the pike.
January 10, 1791, the Court agreed with James John-
son to finish the courthouse agreeably to the plan filed
in the clerk’s office ; to satisfy him five hundred and
86
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
fifty pounds as soon as collected for that service, he
giving bond and sufficient sureties for his perform-
ance.
February 7, 1791, in accordance with the act of
Assembly, the Court levied a tax of two shillings and
six pence for the completion of the public buildings.
The basis of assessment stated in the record is £478,-
752, which we may consider as the value of all the
property in the county, or $2,393,760, from which
basis the tax levied for the above purpose amounted
to about $1,500.
It will be observed from the above figures that while
the population of the county at that period was about
one-half of that of the present day, the assessed value
of all the property in the county was not more than
one-sixth of the present basis.
Our local bar in the year 1796 consisted of the fol-
lowing lawyers, viz :
William Pinkney, Harry Dorsey,
Aquila Hall, Davidson David,
Archibald Robinson, Francis Holland,
John Montgomery, Z. Hollingsworth.
The grand jury for the March term, 1796, consisted
of the following members :
Robert Amoss,
Joseph Brownley,
John Thomas,
John Ashman,
William Duley,
Stephen Rigdon,
Dennis Bond,
Buckler Bond,
John McComas,
John Street,
Richard Hope,
Thomas B. Onion,
Charles Baker,
Richard Kruson,
Samuel Smith,
Thomas Jeffrey,
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
87
Thomas Denbow
Bennet Wheeler,
Thomas Richardson,
Petit jury for the
Michael Gilbert,
Thomas Durham,
Archer Hays,
Benjamin Jones,
Stephen Jones,
Daniel Donahoo,
Abraham Rees,
William Mitchell,
David Street,
Barnet Preston,
Benj. Green,
William Clark, Jr.,
Joseph Barnet,
James Barnet,
Isaac Hitchcock,
Samuel Day, Bailiff.
Ezekiel Williams,
Benjamin Rigdon,
James Lytle,
Benj. Amoss of James,
Gideon Gilbert,
John B. Onion,
Nathaniel Smithson,
Asael Hitchcock,
Aquila Miles,
Aquila Parker,
James Kidd,
Janies Carlon,
Pierce Creagh,
Samuel Bond.
same term :
December 19, 1796, Robert Amoss, Jr., took the
oath as sheriff of Harford county, and gave bond for
the performance of his duty as sheriff, with Benjamin
Amoss, of James, and Bennet Bussey as securities.
At the term of court at Bel Air which commenced
March 19, 1798, before the following judges, viz:
Henry Ridgely, Chief Justice.
Benedict Edward Hall and William Smithson, Asso-
ciate Judges.
The grand jury for that term consisted of the fol-
lowing named persons :
Bennet Bussey, Foreman. Richard Hutchins,
James Barnet, Jr., Benjamin Jones,
88
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
William Wilson of James, John B. Biddle,
Benjamin Nowland, John Ashmore,
Nicholas Horner, Edward Prall,
William Smith of Samuel, Richard Kruson,
George Amoss, John Montgomery,
John Rutledge, David Bell,
Barnet Johnson of Barnet, Parker Hall Lee,
Henry Vansickle, Thomas Jeffrey,
John Forwood of William, William Morris.
David Crane, Jr., Samuel Day, Bailiff .
Petit jury for
Thomas Bond of Daniel,
Godfrey Waters,
John Grindall,
James Lytle,
Thomas Bond of John,
Thomas Richardson,
Henry Waters,
Asael Hitchcock,
John Hall,
George Patterson,
Archer Hays,
Robert Morgan,
John Barclay,
same term :
Henry Richardson,
Billingslea Bull,
James Trapnell,
William Clark, Jr.,
John Street,
Daniel Scott,
Ralph Bond,
Jacob Norris,
Fell Bond,
Sedgwick James,
Bennet Barnes,
Samuel Cal well.
July 28, 1800, the Court, consisting of Benedict E.
Hall and William Smithson, associate justices, ap-
pointed the following judges of election for the several
districts of the county, viz :
First District — John Rumsey, William Smith, of Wil-
liam, James Lytle.
Second District — Roger Mathews, John Holland
Barney, John Cooley.
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY. 89
Third District — John Moores, Bennet Bussey, Jacob
Norris.
Fourth District — Thomas Hope, John Clendening,
James Varney.
Fifth District — Hugh Whiteford, farmer; James
Steel, Dr. John Smith.
At the term of court, commencing March 16, 1801,
before William Smithson and Benedict Edward Hall,
justices ; John Lee Gibson, clerk, and John Churchman
Bond, sheriff, the following is the list of the grand
and petit juries for the term :
Grand Jury.
Jacob Norris, Foreman.
John Bond of William,
Thomas Bond of John,
Barnet Johnson of John,
Nicholas Allender
of Nicholas,
Parker H. Lee,
Samuel Richardson, Sr.,
Zaccheus O. Bond,
Bernard Preston,
Richard Hawkins,
James Steel,
John For wood,
Roger Mathews,
Bennet Bussey,
Nicholas D. McComas,
John Yellot,
George Presbury,
Henry McAtee,
John Grindall,
Joseph Brownley,
Alexander McComas,
Stephen Jones,
Benedict Plall, Jr.
Petit Jury.
John Street,
James Lytle,
Harry Gough,
Thomas S. Bond,
Derick Kruson,
George Cunningham,
Abel Maple,
John Stump,
John Norris of John,
George Patterson,
John Chauncey,
John Hall,
90
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
Henry Vansickle,
Samuel Bradford,
Col. Samuel Hughes,
Samuel Richardson,
Bennet Jar ret,
John Carlile,
David Street,
Samuel Webster
of Richard,
Moses Magness,
William Walsh,
Thomas Richardson,
James Carroll,
John Ashmore,
At this term of court, John Lee Gibson, who had
been clerk of the court for twenty years, offered his
resignation in the following letter :
“To the Honorable the Chief Justice and the Associate
Justices of Harford County:
“Gentlemen — I beg leave to request your acceptance
of my resignation of the office of clerk of Harford
county, which I lay before you. Particular circum-
stances prevent me from holding the appointment
longer. Permit me to express to you the grateful sen-
sations I feel for your politeness to me while in office
and the sensations of great and sincere respect with
which I am, gentlemen,
Your obedient servant,
John Lee Gibson.”
March 27, 1801.
On the same day the resignation was accepted and
the court appointed Henry Dorsey, of Edward, clerk
of the court, who gave bond in the sum of five thou-
sand pounds, with Daniel Scott and William Smithson
as sureties.
CHAPTER X.
SIGNS OF THE REVOLUTION.
IMPORTATION ACT — STAMP ACT — THE PEGGY STEWART — THE AMER-
ICAN ASSOCIATION — CONCORD AND LEXINGTON — ANNAPOLIS
CONVENTION OF JUNE, 1 774 — HARFORD REPRESENTATIVES
THERE — RESOLUTIONS — CONVENTION AT BUSH — RESOLUTION S
ASSOCIATION OF THE FREEMEN OF MARYLAND.
For years before the Revolution there was great un-
rest in the American colonies on account of the tax
laws enacted by the British Parliament.
As early as 1733 the Importation Act was passed,
by which large duties were laid on sugar, molasses and
rum brought into the provinces. Then England for-
bade the manufacture of steel or the cutting of pine
trees outside of inclosures. These laws could not be
enforced and only served to deepen the resentment of
the people. The ground of objection was the absence
of colonial members in the British Parliament, and the
claim was made that taxation without representation
is tyranny.
On March 22, 1765, in spite of the remonstrance of
Pitt, Parliament passed the celebrated Stamp Act, the
provisions of which were that every bond, mortgage,
note, deed, license or legal document should be
executed on paper bearing an English stamp and
furnished by that government. The price of these
stamps ranged from a few pennies to several pounds.
92 HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
Every newspaper, pamphlet or almanac was required
to be printed on stamped paper, costing from a half
penny to four pence. Every advertisement was taxed
two shillings. Failure to comply with these require-
ments invalidated the document. The colonies were
greatly exasperated on learning of the passage of this
law. Public meetings were held in the large cities;
in Boston the bells were tolled and in Philadelphia they
were muffled. A great procession marched through
the streets of New York, bearing a copy of the Stamp
Act, with a death’s head nailed to it, and with a large
placard displaying the words, “The Folly of England
and the Ruin of America.”
At the invitation of Massachusetts, the colonies sent
delegates to a “Stamp-Act Congress,” which met in
New York October 7, 1765, and protested against the
act.
Public opinion in America was so outraged by this
law that on March 18, 1 766, it was repealed by the
British Parliament and the wavering allegiance of the
colonies was temporarily restored to the British Crown.
But the trouble soon broke out again with the tax on
imported tea, and riots occurred in Boston, Philadel-
phia, Annapolis, Charleston and elsewhere on its ac-
count. The owner of the ship Peggy Stewart was
forced to burn his own vessel laden with tea in the
harbor of Annapolis in October, 1774. A call was
issued for a general convention on September 5, 1774.
The first Continental Congress met in Carpenter’s Hall,
Philadelphia. The most distinguished men of the colo-
nies were members, prominent among them being
George Washington and Patrick Henry, of Virginia.
On October 8 the following resolution was passed :
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY. 93
‘‘That this Congress approve the opposition of the
inhabitants of Massachusetts bay to the execution
of the late acts of Parliament; and if the same shall
be attempted to be carried into execution by force, in
such case all America ought to support them in their
opposition.”
The attempt was made to carry them into execution
and all America joined in the opposition, which brought
on the Revolutionary War.
The Congress also adopted, on October 14, a “Decla-
ration of Colonial Rights,” and on the 20th of the same
month the American Association was adopted, which
was an agreement of non-importation, non-consump-
tion and non-exportation applied to Great Britain, Ire-
land and the West Indies.
The mother country turned a deaf ear to these re-
monstrances, which may be regarded as preliminary
declarations of independence. General Gage was
instructed to enforce all these measures with his army,
and at Concord and Lexington, on April 19, 1775, was
shed the first blood of the Revolution.
The Maryland Convention, which sent delegates to
the first Continental Congress, met at Annapolis on
June 22, 1774. Matthew Tilghman, of Talbot county,
presided. The delegates representing Harford county
in this convention were Richard Dallam, John Love,
Thomas Bond, Benedict Edward Hall and Jacob Bond.
At this convention it was declared that the acts of
Parliament were cruel and oppressive invasions of the
people’s rights, and that the cause of Boston was the
cause of all the provinces ; that the colonies should
unite to stop all importation from and exportation to
Great Britain until the acts should be repealed ; that
94 HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
a subscription should be opened in the several counties
for immediate collection for the relief of the distressed
inhabitants of Boston, then cruelly deprived of the
means of procuring subsistence for themselves and
families by the operation of the act for blocking up
their harbor, and that the same be collected by the
committees of the respective counties, and shipped by
them in such provisions as may be thought most use-
ful ; that there should be no dealings with any colony
which should refuse to come into the general plan
which might be adopted by the colonies ; that the depu-
ties from Maryland to the Continental Congress, upon
their return, call together the committees of the sev-
eral counties and lay before them the measures adopted
by the general congress.
Matthew Tilghman, Thomas Johnson, Jr., Robert
Goldsborough, William Paca and Samuel Chase were
sent as delegates to Philadelphia.
The counties promptly responded to the recommen-
dation of the provincial convention. Harford had
anticipated the recommendation, for, on June n, a
large meeting of the inhabitants was held at Bush to
take action in the matter. Aquila Hall presided over
the meeting and the following resolutions were
adopted :
“i. Resolved , It is the opinion of this meeting that
the town of Boston is now suffering in the common
cause of America, and that it is the duty of every col-
ony to unite in the most effectual constitutional means
to obtain a repeal of the late act of Parliament for
blocking up the harbor and port of Boston.
“2. Resolved, That, therefore, we will join in an
association with the other counties of this province, on
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY. 9$
oath, not to export to, or import from, Great Britain,
any kind of produce or merchandise after such a day
as the committee of the several counties at their gen-
eral meeting shall fix, until the Repeal of the Boston
port act.
“3. Resolved , That we will deal with none of the
West India Islands, colony or colonies, person or per-
sons whatsoever residing therein, who shall not enter
in similar resolves with the majority of the colonies
within such time as the general committees of this
province shall agree, but hold him or them as an
enemy or enemies to American liberty.
“4. Resolved , That we join in an association with
the other colonies to send relief to the poor and dis-
tressed inhabitants of Boston, to enable them to perse-
vere in defence of the common cause.
“5. Resolved, That the merchants ought not to ad-
vance the price of their goods, but sell them as they
intended had not these resolves been entered into.
“6. Resolved, That the gentlemen of the law ought
to bring no suit for recovery of any debt due from any
inhabitant of Great Britain, or this or any other col-
ony, until the said act be repealed ; except in such cases
where the debtor is guilty of a wilful delay in payment,
having ability to pay, or is about to abscond or remove
his effects, or is wasting his substance, or shall refuse
to settle his account by giving his bond on interest (or
security, if required), which fact or facts are to be
made appear to some neighboring magistrate and cer-
tified under his hand.
“7. Resolved, That the following gentlemen, viz:
Rev. William West, Messrs. Aquila Hall, Richard Dal-
lam, Thomas Bond (son of Thomas), John Love, Capt.
g6 HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
John Paca, Benedict Edward Hall, Benjamin Rumsey,
Nathaniel Giles and Jacob Bond be a committee to
meet the committees of other counties in this province,
to consult and agree on the most effectual means to
preserve our constitutional rights and liberties, and
promote that union and harmony between Great Bri-
tain and her colonies, on which their preservation de-
pends ; and that the same gentlemen, together with the
following, Capt. John Matthews, Capt. William Smith,
Dr. John Archer, William Younge, Abraham Whita-
ker, William Webb, Amos Garret, George Bradford,
John Rumsey, Jeremiah Sheredine, William Smithson,
William Bond (son of Joshua), Isaac Webster and
Alexander Cowan, be a committee of correspondence,
and on any emergency to call a general meeting, and
that any six of them have power to act.
“Signed per order,
“Joseph Butler, CL Com.”*
At the meeting of the convention held December 8
of that year (1774), the sum of four hundred and
sixty-six pounds was named as the amount to be sub-
scribed in Harford county for the purchase of arms
and ammunition.
Meanwhile, in Congress, the war spirit continued to
grow. On June 26, 1775, the Maryland Convention
again assembled at Annapolis, and its first movement
was to throw off allegiance to the proprietary power
and form a provisional government for the State. Then
was organized what was known as the “Association of
the Freemen of Maryland,” which the members of
the convention signed. To this association are found
*Scharf’s History.
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
97
subscribed the names of Benedict Edward Hall,
Thomas Bond, Richard Dallam, Ignatius Wheeler, Jr.,
and William Webb, who represented Harford county-
in that convention.
CHAPTER XI.
HARFORD IN THE REVOLUTION.
THE PEOPLE OF THE NEW COUNTY ALIVE TO PUBLIC AFFAIRS —
FAVORABLE SITUATION OF COUNTY SEAT AT BUSH — GREAT MEN
PASSING ALONG — HARFORD DECLARATION OF POPULAR RIGHTS.
Several things conspired to cause the people of Har-
ford county to be especially active and interested in
public affairs at the breaking out of the Revolutionary
War. In the first place, the county had been formed
but a year before Lexington and Concord were fought ;
our people had all the zest and interest in public mat-
ters which always characterize newly organized gov-
ernmental agencies, and the same feeling which made
them restless under the removal of their county seat
and led to the formation of the new county, was mani-
fest in the spirit that actuated them under the wrongs
inflicted by the mother country. One of the first duties
imposed upon the new county was to send delegates to
the Provincial Convention at Annapolis, which pro-
tested against the Stamp Act. The situation of the
county seat at Harford Town, or Bush, on the route
to and from Philadelphia and New York, the early
national capitals, was particularly favorable to our an-
cestors keeping thoroughly in touch with the spirit of
the times. There were several hotels at Bush at the
time' of which we write, and when our people in those
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY. 99
days would repair to the county seat on court business,
or whatever might be their errand, it was an usual
occurrence for them to meet with and enjoy the ac-
quaintance of such men as Washington, Jefferson,
Madison, Randolph, Patrick Henry, the Lees and other
great men of those days who lived in the South and
who would pass that way in their journeys to and from
the large cities of the North.
It is not too much to assume that something of the
same spirit and feeling that actuated Washington, who
commanded our armies, and Jefferson, who wrote the
Declaration of Independence, and Madison, the father
of the Constitution, and the other prominent men who
were in the habit of stopping at Bush, was infused into
our own people, and to the extent of their association
with these great men, which, as indicated, was con-
siderable, to the same extent our ancestors had the
advantage in public information, knowledge and public
spirit over those sections not so favorably situated.
As we look back to that distant day, we can see the
village hostelry filled with jurors, witnesses, judges
and others of our people who had repaired to the
county seat on public business. The great open fire-
place would be blazing with the cordwood logs ; kindly
feeling and good cheer would prevail; Mr. Jeremiah
Sheredine, Mr. William Webb and Mr. Thomas Bond,
of the lords justices, would discuss with Mr. William
Smithson the opening of a new road from the Hickory
Fork to Winter’s Run and debate the probable cost;
in another part of the room Mr. Alexander Lawson,
the clerk of the court, would be engaged in conver-
sation with Mr. Aquila Hall and Mr. Aquila Paca, who
lived nearby and had dropped in for a social hour; a
100
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
slight commotion would be heard outside and, as is
the custom in the country, all would go to discover the
cause. Just coming over the brow of the hill from By-
num’s run two horsemen would appear, the dress, car-
riage, horses and tout ensemble of the riders would
clearly indicate that they were gentlemen of distinc-
tion; following them would be two negro servants
equally well mounted; the livery of the servants and
their perfect manners indicating that they were
of the quality as well as their masters; some one of
the better acquainted would advance and address
the elder traveler with “Colonel Washington, how
do you do?” The gentleman accosted would reply,
“Mr. Paca, I am glad to see you ; allow me to present
to you my friend, Mr. Jefferson, of Virginia,” and
then the entire assemblage would be presented to the
great men and would for the rest of the evening enjoy
the conversation of one or both of them. The politics
of the day would be discussed and the latest views of
the leading men of the times would be freely given to
the guests thus gathered together. We can imagine
Mr. Jefferson, with his tall, spare form, red face and
hair, advising the fathers of our county met at the
Bush tavern to organize and send delegates to the An-
napolis Convention and the Continental Congress. We
can see him standing in front of the open fire, exhorting
his auditors to organize and pass resolutions expressing
their views ; and to scenes such as these were the rep-
resentative people of the county so accustomed that
when the hour arrived they were ready, active and
courageous.
This association, with the leading men of the colo-
nies, bore fruit in the passage of a resolution by the
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
IOI
committee of Harford county on the 22nd day of
March, 1775, which may properly be called the first
Declaration of Independence made by any representa-
tive body in America. The committee of Harford
county was not in any sense a mass-meeting. Its
members were duly elected by the ten thousand white
people of the county; the thirty-four names signed to
the resolution were the leading men of the new county,
and their descendants are justly proud of this signal
evidence of the courage and patriotism of their ances-
tors. The terms of the resolution, even without the
aid of the knowledge of the resolves and the associa-
tion of the Continental Congress and the resolves of
the Provincial Convention, indicate beyond a doubt
that the signers realized that they were not dealing in
mere glittering generalities, but that it was necessary
for them to hang together, so that they might thereby
avoid the unpleasant alternative of hanging separately.
When it was considered necessary to close the reso-
lution with these words, “We do most solemnly pledge
ourselves to each other, and to our country, and en-
gage ourselves by every tie held sacred among man-
kind, to perform the same at the risque of our lives
and fortunes/’ we may know that the signers had
a full realization of the meaning of their famous decla-
ration and of the work in which they were about to
engage.
The following is the language of the declaration :
“We, the Committee of Harford County, having
most seriously and maturely considered the Resolves
and Association of the Continental Congress and the
Resolves of the Provincial Convention, do most heart-
ily approve of the same, and as we esteem ourselves
102
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
in a more particular manner intrusted by our Constitu-
ents to see them carried into Execution, we do most
solemnly pledge ourselves to each other, and to our
country, and engage ourselves by every tie held sacred
among mankind, to perform the same at the risque of
our lives and fortunes.
“Aquila Hall, Jos. Carvel Hall, Geo. Patterson, Wm.
Morgan, Frans. Holland, Sami. Caldwell, Aquila
Paca, James Lytle, Aquila Hall, Jr., Robt. Morgan,
Robt. Lemmon, Thos. Brice, Thos. Johnson, Alex. Rig-
don, Edward Ward, Abm. Whitaker, Charles Ander-
son, William Fisher, Jr., Richd. Dallam, John Durham,
James McComas, William Bradford, Sen., Wm. Smith-
son, John Donohuy, John Patrick, Daniel Scott, Benj.
Bradford Norris, James Harris, Edward Prall, Green-
berry Dorsey, John Archer, W. Smithe, W. Webb,
John Taylor.”
In this declaration is foreshadowed Lexington and
Concord, Bunker Hill and Long Island, Trenton, Mon-
mouth and Princeton, and the final triumph at York-
town.
When we consider that the Resolves of the Conti-
nental Congress were the Bill of Rights defining the
privileges of English speaking people everywhere, and
that the signers to the Bush declaration declared their
intention to see them carried into execution at the risk
of their lives and fortunes, we may consider that except
in detail this declaration breathed the same spirit as
Jefferson’s instrument of more than a year later.
A revolution differs from a rebellion only in that
the former is attended with success. And had the
Revolution of 1776 failed, and had the army of Wash-
ington been overthrown, it is not too much to suppose
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY. 103
that the good people of our county, who rejoice in
their descent from these patriots whose names are
signed to the Bush declaration, would have as part of
their inheritance the bitter knowledge of the execution
of an ancestor for treason.
The same quality of the Englishman that put Har-
rison to death and dug up the dead body of Cromwell
and hung it in chains after it had been in the grave for
years, would have made itself manifest at that later
day had the British government triumphed in their
effort to enslave the American colonies. The date of
this declaration is but two days after the celebrated
speech of Patrick Henry, in Virginia, when he ex-
claimed: “The war is inevitable. Gentlemen may cry
peace, peace, but there is no peace. The next gale that
sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the crash
of resounding arms. What would you have? Is life
so dear or peace so sweet to be purchased at the price
of chains and slavery. I know not what course others
may take, but as for me, give me liberty or give me
death.”
The fires were beginning to be kindled and liberty or
death was the prevailing sentiment. And so the rep-
resentatives of the county signing this declaration at
Bush sixteen months before the declaration at Phila-
delphia on July 4, 1776, was a cry for liberty, from an
obscure community, if you please, but it breathed the
same patriotic spirit and bore the same central thought
as the great instrument itself.
Let no one belittle this act of our forefathers, or take
one laurel from the brow of those great and good men
of our county, who at the risk of their lives and their
104 HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
fortunes were the first to give utterance to such senti-
ments, looking to national freedom and independence.
They have all long ago passed over the dark river and
joined the silent majority, and of them we can say in
the ritual of the church, to the Author of every good
and perfect gift, “we bless Thy holy name for all Thy
servants departed this life in Thy faith and fear,” and
in particular “we give Thee hearty thanks for the good
example of these, Thy servants, who having finished
their course in faith do now rest from their labors.”
The surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown was the
final overthrow of English supremacy. With the
success of the American arms came the neces-
sity for a more perfect union. The first government
was under the Articles of Confederation, which proved
inadequate, and so the constitution was formed and
adopted, and with the inauguration of Washington
the new government went into operation in all its
branches.
CHAPTER XII.
THE REVOLUTION — Continued.
THE ENROLLMENT OF THE COUNTY MILITIA — THE FLYING CAMP —
ALEXANDER LAWSON SMITHES HARFORD COMPANY AT THE
BATTLE OF FORT WASHINGTON.
In accordance with the recommendation of the
Provincial Assembly, companies were enrolled in Har-
ford county as follows :
“We whose names are subscribed do hereby enroll
ourselves into a company of militia, agreeable to the
resolutions of the Provincial Convention held at Annap-
olis the 26th day of July, 1775, and we do promise
and engage that we will respectively march to such
places within this province, and at such times, as we
shall be commanded by the convention or council of
safety, of this province, or by our officers, in pursu-
ance of the orders of the said convention or council,
and there, with our whole power, fight against whom-
sover we shall be commanded by such authority as
aforesaid.”
Josias Carvil Hall's Company. — No. 1.
Witness our hands this 12th day of Sept., 1775.
Josias Carvil Hall, Capt. Edward Hall,
William Young, 1st Lieut. Edward Carvel Tolley,
John Beadle Hall, 2d Lieut. John Patterson,
Thomas Hall, Ensign.
James Webster,
Freeborn Brown,
Michael Gilbert, Jr.,
Thos. Peregrine Frisby,
Richard Ruff,
Richard Wilmott, Jr.,
Garrett Garrettson,
io6
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
George Young,
Aquila Paca, Jr.,
Francis Holland,
Benedict Edward Hall,
Thomas Giles,
William Smith, Jr.,
John Copeland,
John Diemer,
Bennet Mathews,
Josias Hall,
James White Hall,
Gabriel Christie,
John Rumsey,
Samuel Gover,
James Holmes,
William Annin,
Arthur McCann,
James Mathews,
Joseph Butler,
John Lee Webster,
Aquila Hall, Jr.,
William Loney,
Joseph Finley,
James Osborn, Jr.,
Robert Morgan,
Phil Henderson,
George Presbury,
Joshua Browne,
Robert Stokes,
Daniel Richardson,
William Hollis, Jr.,
William Hall,
Thaddeus Jewett,
James Paca,
William Bradford, Jr.,
Larkin Hammond,
Roger Mathews,
John Carlisle,
Joseph Wheeler,
Parker Lee,
Bennett Wheeler,
Henry Neill,
Alex. Lawson Smith,
John Matthews,
William Hall of Aquila,
Josias Wheeler,
Thomas Orr,
James Perkins,
William Young,
John Archer, Captain. — No. 2.
At a meeting of the deputies appointed by the sev-
eral counties of the province of Maryland at the city
of Annapolis, by adjournment on the 8th day of
December, 1774, and continuing till the 12th day of
the same month, it was resolved that the freeholders
and others and freemen from fifteen to sixty years of
age should form themselves into companies of sixty-
eight men, to choose a captain, two lieutenants, an
ensign, four sergeants, four corporals and a drummer
for each company. In compliance therewith and agree-
able thereunto, a sufficient number being inhabitants
of Maryland, in Harford county, adjacent to the Lower
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY. 107
Cross Roads, having enrolled themselves, and on the
26th day of December, 1774, met and made choice of
their several officers, in which position said company
continued mustering once a week until the 16th day of
September, 1775, at which time said company having
met, subscribed their names to the following enroll-
ment :
A list of the names of the Lower Cross Roads
Militia Company as enrolled :
John Archer, Captain.
Edward Prall, 1st Lieut.
James Allison, 2d Lieut.
Samuel Smith, Ensign.
John Archer,
Edward Prall,
James Allison,
George Barclay,
William Boardsman,
John Stevenson,
Samuel Smith,
Charles Moore,
William Grimes,
John Tinny,
John Welch,
John Monahon,
John Jebb,
Ralph Smith,
Peter Laughlin,
George Tollenger,
Arthur Monahon,
John Smith,
George McGlaughlan,
John Hawthorn,
Alexander Jeffrey,
Jonathan White,
Jacob Slack,
Robert Criswell,
James Walker,
Andrew Harriot,
John Perkins,
William Martin,
Robert Hart,
Robert McGloughlan,
Edward Thompson,
Daniel Clarke,
John Mills,
Patrick Heany,
Robert Smith,
Hugh Diver,
John Croesen,
John Jamison, farmer,
Richard Croesen,
John Jamison, innkeeper,
John Townsley,
John Townsley, Jr.,
John Blackburn, Jr.,
James Lee,
Joseph Shaghnassey,
James Sheredine,
Andrew Wilson,
Patrick Cretin,
William Harrison,
Joseph Jervis,
John Curry,
Michael Donel,
William Hassett,
John McCann,
George Vandegrift,
Archer Hays,
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
108
WhKV'&r.
William Williams,
John Davidson,
James Moore,
Samuel Doherty,
Isaac Guyton,
Thomas Rowntree,
James Hews,
George Butler,
William McClure,
Joseph Brownley,
James Cain,
James Harris,
David Dickson,
Talbot Odle,
Daniel Price,
Ralph Smith,
Edward Short,
Thomas Hill,
Matthew McClintock,
James May,
Nevin Kerr,
Ezekiel Vanhorn.
Charles Anderson, Captain. — No. 3.
Witness our hands this 23d day of September, 1775
Charles Anderson, Capt .
Geo. Patterson, 1st Lieut.
Nathan Bayles, 2d Lieut.
Michael Gilbert, Ensign.
Parker Gilbert,
James Pritchard,
William Boner,
Harmon Pritchard,
Ephraim Byard,
Benjamin Smith,
Daniel Dunahoo,
Joseph Harris,
Philip Donavin,
Daniel Bayles,
James Hanna,
William Donavin,
Eleazer Pritchard,
Isaac Johnson,
Pat. Fowler,
Benjamin Bayles,
John Cooley,
Samuel Bayles,
Joseph McFadden,
Daniel Anderson,
James Byard,
Robert Cluver,
Micaja Mitchell,
Richard White,
Richard Rutter,
John Carroll,
Thomas Shearer,
Samuel Gilbert,
John Williams,
James Barns,
Thomas Gorrell,
Samuel Swart,
William Jarvice,
Aquila Gilbert,
John Cummins,
Dennis Dunham,
Andrew Ferguson,
Robert Small,
Ichabod Smith,
Abraham Robinson,
Robert West,
Alexander Hanna,
Thomas Gallion,
Joshua Wood,
Ephraim Cole,
Abadiah Pritchard,
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
109
James Cole,
Benjamin Silver,
William Silver,
James Wood,
Andrew Ramsay,
Robert Nixon,
Robert Carswell,
William Brannon,
Jonas Bayles,
John Gallion,
Charles Baley,
Benjamin Culver,
David Smith,
James Boner of Barney.
Aquila Hall, Captain. — No. 4.
Witness our hands the 9th day of September, 1775 :
Aquila Hall, Captain.
Samuel Griffith, 1st Lieut.
Jacob Forwood, 2d Lieut.
John Chancey, Ensign.
Levin Mathews,
Caleb Beck,
John Adams,
Samuel Hanson,
John Major,
George Little,
John Clarke,
John Brown,
John Hall Hughes,
Henry Vansickle,
Hollis Hanson,
Zebedee Bennett,
John Whitacre,
Hezekiah Whitacre,
Robert Faulkner,
Jesse Manly,
Nehemiah Barnes,
William Jones,
Abraham Bennett,
Thomas Hanson,
John Dorrah,
John Beck,
William Smith,
Jonas Stevenson,
Joseph Smith,
Thos Cowley,
Benjamin Chancey,
Edward Morris,
James Steward,
Thos. Barrett,
William Mooberry,
John Mathews,
James Redman,
John Casseldine,
William Murphy,
Edward Horton Bruce-
banks,
John Cowin,
Thomas Woodward,
Joseph Johnson,
George Capeland,
Archibald Johnson,
George Drew,
Jacob Combest,
George Chancey,
John Ruff,
James Chancey,
Francis Pitt,
James Oliver,
John Johnson,
Robert Brown,
James Kimble, Jr.,
Thomas Sutton,
James McCarty,
I IO
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
Peter Lovell,
Thomas Brown,
Stephen Crouch,
William Rice,
John Manly,
James Phillips,
James Jones,
Michael Kennard,
Francis Garland,
Amos Hollis,
Michael Connoway,
Benjamin Osborne,
Nathan Gallion,
Garrett Garrettson,
Wiliam Osborne,
William Redding,
Edward Ward,
James Lenagin,
Samuel Dooley,
John Biggs,
Thomas Blackiston,
Thomas Browning,
John Hanson,
Benjamin Bennett,
William Johnson,
Robert McGaw,
James Drew.
John McBride,
Captain John Rodgers. — No. 5.
Witness our hands this 15th day of September, 1775
John Rodgers, Captain. John Marshall,
Wm. Godsgrace, 1st Lieut. Joseph Montgomery,
James Giles, 2 d Lieut and John Calgrove,
Adjt. William Wise,
Matthew Alexander, En- Samuel Beach,
sign. David Deaver,
Daniel McPhail, Thomas Belcher Michael,
Gash, William Welsh, William Mitchell, Jr.,
Archibald Beaty, Ser- James Mitchell,
geants. William Evitt,
William Williams, Samuel Patrick McDonald,
Howell, David Thomp- James Edwards,
son, Alexander Burns, Francis Faust,
Corporals. Richard Watts,
John Orr, Drummer. Thomas West,
James Hurley, Fifer. Archibald McCurdy,
Peter Fort, William Vantworth,
John Singleton, John Lovell,
Jonathan Grant, James Ward,
Jackson Laverty, William Hill,
Robert Hunt, Thomas Walker,
Philip McDonald, John Porter,
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
Ill
John Walker,
Walter Taylor,
Samuel Fowler,
William Murphy,
William Perry Fowler,
Hugh Munroe,
John Mitchell,
William Coen, Jr.,
James McKnight,
Daniel Deaver,
Stephen Hargrass,
John Osborn,
Andrew Evitt,
George Veach,
Ralph Platt,
The above are a true copy of the names of every
person, officers, subalterns and privates belonging to
the above company who separately and severally desir-
ing the clerk of the said company to write their names
for them professing at the same time in form as their
own actual signing.
Daniel McPhail, Clk.
Attested :
John Rodgers, Capt.
Wm. Godsgrace, Lieut.
To the Committee of Harford County:
Gentlemen — Further it’s desired you in your wis-
dom will be pleas’d to fall upon some method to
furnish the above with a few arms and we the offi-
cers thereof bind ourselves answerable to the commit-
tee, convention or whom else soever it doth concern to
return the said arms or the full value thereof when
this unhappy contest shall subside.
John Rodgers,
Wm. Godsgrace.
N. B. — The company is young but enrolling daily.
Thomas Boyle,
William Cantler,
James Seale, Jr.,
Samuel Richardson,
Ozwain Sutton,
Michael West,
Joseph Steel,
Daniel Williams,
John Williams,
Jonathan Knight,
Samuel Pritchard,
William Shy,
Thomas Knight,
Samuel Durbin,
112
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
Benjamin Rumsey, Captain. — No. 6.
Witness our hands this 16th day of September, 1775
Benjamin Rumsey,
Alexander Cowan,
John Beale Howard,
Isaiah Linton,
Thomas Gassaway How-
ard,
Clement Lewis,
William Copeland Gold-
smith,
Jonathan W. Lewis,
John Day, Jr.
George Gouldsmith Pres-
bury,
John Hammond Dorsey,
Roger Boyce,
Benjamin Wilson,
Samuel G. Osborn,
John Allender, Jr.,
James Bailey,
John Sewell,
Joseph Cromwell,
Henry Garrett,
James Arnold,
Otho French,
William Price,
James Maxwell, Jr.,
William Branan,
John Christie,
James Adams,
Henry Hays,
William Allender,
Josias Smith,
Edward Day, Sr.,
Joseph Hewett,
John Devin,
Isaac Hall,
John Gray,
Richard Holloway,
Daniel Tredwell,
Benjamin Scarff,
William Reed,
James Price,
Richard Wooden,
Zep. Tolley,
Thomas Cole,
William Osborn,
Moses Haslet,
John Robert Harrison,
Nicholas Eckson,
John Wilson, doctor,
Joseph Finley,
Thomas Taylor,
Walter James,
John Mitchell,
Thomas Stocksdale,
Joshua France,
Robert Stewart,
James Foster,
Hugh Stewart,
John Thompson,
Levin Ingram,
John Huston,
John Clark,
John Phips,
John Woolen,
Major Woolen,
Richard Hackett,
John Stewart,
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
113
Captain John Taylor's Company. — No. 7.
Witness our hands and seals this 9th day of Septem-
ber, 1775 :
John Taylor, Captain.
Samuel Caldwell, Lieut.
Thomas Hutchins, 2d Lt.
Vincent Richardson, En-
sign.
Jonathan Ady,
Greenbury Chaney,
John Carson,
John Armstrong,
Stephen White,
John Saunders,
William Jenkins,
James Cox,
Barnard Riely,
William Ewing,
William Norris of Joshua,
James Walker,
Aquila Norris of Thomas,
David Harry,
Hugh Bay,
William Sargent, Sr.,
John Allen,
William Sargent, Jr.,
George Garrettson,
William Marret,
Thomas Freeman,
Charles Herbert,
Nathaniel Shepherd Arm-
strong,
Stephen Fell,
Daniel Thomas,
William Bayd,
John Cooper,
Charles Gillaspey,
Robert Conn,
James Camp,
Robert Travis,
Samuel Richman,
Thomas Hutchins,
John Quinn,
Samuel Standiford, Jr.,
Edward Norris of Joshua,
Thomas Richardson, Jr.,
James McCurty,
Andrew Bay,
James Everett of Samuel,
William Handersides,
John Gillaspey,
Robert Wilson,
Samuel Brown,
Israel Taylor,
John Larramore,
Peter Bond,
Nathaniel Yardley,
Moulden Amos,
William Robinson,
William Ady,
Torrance Flannagan,
James Moore,
John Corbet,
David Calwell,
William Byfoot,
Vincent Richardson,
William Richardson,
Moses McComas,
John Norris of James,
Charley Riley,
John Wilson,
Charles O’Close,
Daniel Norris,
Thomas Ford, *
Abel Green,
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
114
Andreas Hughes,
John Brown,
Joseph Pearson,
Amos Jones,
Walter Martin,
Thomas Robinson,
Richard Noland,
John Conn,
Richard McKinley,
Daniel Fraley,
John Buckley,
James Huggins.
John Kennedy,
Captain Greenberry Dorsey's Company. — No. 8.
Enrolled October 31, 1775.
Greenberry Dorsey, Cap- Israel Combest,
John Wood, 1st Lieut. George Childs,
William Barnes, 2d Lieut. Stephen Taylor,
Cyrus Osborn, Ensign. Robert Taylor,
Nathaniel Swain, James Mosey Loney,
Deaver, Joseph Everist, Thomas Simpers,
John Howell, Sergeants. Stephen Kimble,
Lloyd Mash, Joseph Fields, Isaac Dulany,
Baltus Fie, Thomas Richard Berry,
Ayres, Corporals. Thomas Lancaster,
James Taylor, Jr., Clerk. James Ford, *
tain.
Jacob Combest,
Privates —
James McCracken,
Isaac Toulson,
Frisby Dorsey,
Ashberry Cord,
John Kimble,
Samuel Pritchard,
Obadiah Pritchard,
Charles Pritchard,
Thomas Pritchard,
William Pritchard,
George Dougherty,
John Gordon,
John Everist,
Utey Combest,
Asa Taylor,
John Collins,
Samuel Collins,
James Kelly,
Samuel Thompson,
Samuel Tush,
Richard Harrison,
Gabriel Swain,
Patrick McClain,
Josias Kimble,
James Fitzgerald,
Benjamin Everist,
Isaac Collins,
Harmon Hill,
Edward Evans,
John Clark ,
Alexander Gordon,
Amasa Taylor,
Roger Sheedy,
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
John Connolly,
John Connolly, Jr.,
William Collins,
John Deaver,
Reuben Sutton,
William Daugherty,
John Lee,
Michael Melanhy,
Charles Hipkins,
Michael Carey,
Roland Kimble,
Evan Evans,
Isaac Duzent,
John Morris,
Horatio Harrison,
Thomas Deaver,
Micajah Deaver,
Benjamin Ford,
John Kirk,
James Kimble,
George Williamson,
John Walker,
William Wraine,
Usher Tracey,
Jacob Collins,
John Lovatt,
John McComas,
Samuel Gallion,
Moses Collins,
Freeborn Garrettson,
William Gray Duzan
John Giant,
Samuel Jenkins,
Charles White,
Giles Kimble,
Thomas Chrisholm,
James Denison,
Abraham Taylor,
Hugh Orr,
John Atkinson, Jr.,
William Evans,
William Evans, Jr.,
John Barnes,
Richard Pearce,
John Bruce,
Daniel Campbell,
Jacob Duzart.
Captain James Stewart's Company. — No. 9.
James Stewart, captain; James Talbott, first lieu-
tenant; John Ware, second lieutenant; Jesse Pritchard,
ensign ; privates, 65.
Captain John Love's Company. — No. 10.
Witness our hands this 14th day of September, 1775 :
John Love, Captain.
Grafton Preston, Lieut.
Job Key, 2d Lieut.
Nathaniel West, Ensign.
James Scott, 1st Sergeant.
James Munday, 2d Sergt.
Stephen Hill, 3rd Sergt.
Thos. Sheredin, 4th Sergt.
Corporals — Walter Bil-
lingslea, first ; Robert
Clark, second ; James
Preston, third ; John
Thomas, fourth.
n6
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
Privates —
William Miles,
Matthew Sweany,
Thomas Able,
Michael Lorden,
George Rydon,
James Rigdon,
Peter Henley,
John Callinder,
Henry Green,
Hugh Pugh,
Bernard Johnson,
Edmund Bull,
James Deale,
Alexander Pluston,
Benjamin Rhoades,
Thomas Pennick,
Jacob Johnson,
Patrick Campbell,
Lemuel Howard,
Thomas Thurston,
David Clark,
Robert Taylor,
Edward Bussey,
Leonard Green,
James Whitaker,
Thomas Wheeler,
John Woodward,
Vincent Goldsmith,
William Clark,
John Wild,
Edward Freeman,
Philip McGuire,
Thomas Rhoades,
Thomas Johnston,
John Paine,
James Thomas,
William West,
Henry Thomas,
Jacob Bull,
James Craton,
John Craton,
Thomas Thompson,
David Thomas,
Josias Wheeler,
William McMullin,
Thomas Hill,
James Allen,
Ralph Pyle,
John Welsh,
William Cooper,
John Ruckman,
William Strowd,
Leonard Green of Benja-
min,
William Fulton,
William Baggot,
Jonathan West,
Bartholomew Savage,
Martin Preston,
John Carr,
Barnet Preston,
Isaac Pinnick,
Barnet Pain,
Isaac Arkwright.
Captain Jacob Bond's Company. — No. n.
Witness our hands this 9th day of December, 1775 :
Jacob Bond, Captain. Martin Preston, Ensign.
Thos. Johnson, 1st Lieut. William McMath,
Jas. McComas, 2d Lieut. Aquila Scott of James,
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
Patrick Hughes,
Joseph Barns,
Samuel McMath,
John Barnes,
William Anderson,
James Curry,
William Barnes,
James Steel,
Benjamin Scott,
Elijah Joice,
Buckler Bond,
Joseph Saunders,
Thomas Smith,
John Drennen,
Roderick McKenzie,
Edward Hamilton,
Daniel Scott of Aquila,
Aquila Scott of Aquila,
Thomas Pendegast,
James Moriarty,
William King,
Michael Carr,
Samuel Wilmott,
William Brown,
Christopher Clemens,
Thomas Knight,
William Smith,
James Jarvis,
Andrew Warwick,
John Norris of Benjamin,
William Cuthbert,
James Amoss of James,
Isaac Rose,
Jacob Bull,
Edmund Bull,
Jacob Bull, Jr.,
117
Nathaniel Smithson,
John Pain,
Henry Greer,
James Deal,
John Price,
John Ruckman,
John Lewis,
Patrick Campbell,
William Stephens,
Moses Ruth, Jr.,
William McMillan,
Robert Fremble,
Samuel Durham,
Aquila Durham,
Peter Potee,
Mordecai Durham,
John Durham of Joshua,
Samuel McMillan,
William Bond of Joshua,
James Kelly,
Robert Johnson,
William Johnson,
Benjamin Preston,
James Moores, tanner,
James Moores of John,
Henry Ruff, Jr.,
James Hanna,
Patrick Reid,
Isaac Whitacre,
Jacob Bond, Jr.,
Thomas Hinks,
William Smithson,
James Bond,
James Bridge,
Francis Williams.
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
Alexander Rigdon’s Company. — No. 12.
Witness our hands this 2d day of December, 1775 :
Alexander Rigdon, Cap-
tain.
Daniel Carter, 1st Lieut.
Richard Deaver, Jr., 2d Lt.
William Jones, Ensign.
Sergeants — Joseph Wilson,
Charles Johnson, Walter
Denny, John Flat.
Corporals — Christopher
Fort, William Rose, Jo-
seph Kerns, Samuel Pea-
cock.
Privates —
William Smith,
William Jenkins,
Thomas Burke,
Thomas Miles,
George Johnston,
Jeremiah Hawkins,
John Donehay,
John Whiteford,
John Johnson,
William Brakenridge,
William Eken,
John Brakenridge,
John Frost,
John Hudson,
Jesse Kent,
John Bullock,
Gregory Hawkins,
Samuel Hill,
Philip Crail,
Robert Hawkins,
James Frost,
James Queen,
Joshua Ward,
Luke Peacock,
James Ward,
John McGaw,
Benjamin McCreary,
Thomas Jones,
Thomas Hudson,
John Roberts,
William Roberts,
Robert Kennedy,
John Kearns,
William Gibson,
Samuel Morgan,
William Rigdon,
Walter Lewis,
Aquila Deaver,
Seaborn Tucker,
Jacob Jones,
James Deaver,
Stephen Rigdon,
William Clark,
John McClain,
Benjamin Jones, Jr.,
James Delong,
Joseph Smith,
Thomas Johnson,
Robert Clark, Jr.,
Isaac Jones,
John Watkins,
Isaac Jones of William,.
John Catherwood,
James Benson,
James Leakin,
William Betts,
Joseph Gibbons.
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
1 19
Capt. William Bradford's Company. — No. 13.
Witness our hands this 30th day of September, 1775 :
William Bradford, Capt. Aaron McComas, *
Joseph Rose, 1st Lieut. John Pool,
Hugh Kirkpatrick, 2d Lieut. Alexander McComas,
Edward McComas, En-
sign.
Samuel Vance,
John Jones,
Michael Mather,
William Gail,
William McComas,
Benjamin Rickets,
Samuel Power,
Isaac Wheeler,
Thomas Mather,
Alexander Crawford,
Solomon McComas,
Daniel Lynch,
David Vance,
Robert Braser,
William Norris,
Joseph Stiles,
Richard Bull,
James Carroll,
John Kitely,
Thomas Yeaman,
John Power,
’Samuel Stallins,
James Nower,
Alexander McComas, Jr.,
William Boyer,
Edward McKinsey,
John Kean,
Thomas Cunningham,
Edward Hanson,
Zachariah Smith,
William Yoe,
Isaac Fryer,
George Cunningham,
Abraham Andrew,
John Bull,
William May,
James Kelly,
Reuben Ross,
John Vance,
Basil Smith,
William Eadin,
Benjamin McComas,
William Saunders,
John Ellis,
Samuel Wiggins,
John Brooks,
John Morris,
John McComas of Wil-
liam,
Stephen White,
Thomas Mason,
James Dobbins,
William Goddin,
Aaron Goddin,
Tayman By foot,
William Ross.
Charles Baker's Company. — No. 15.
At Josias Hitchcock’s, Jr., in Harford county, 27th
January, 1776.
Elected by ballot:
Charles Baker, Captain. Moses Johnson, 1st Lieut.
120
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
Richard Hutchins, 2d
Lieut.
Nicholas Amoss, Ensign.
Sergeants for the Jarretts-
burg Company of Militia —
Timothy Tate,
Martin Parker,
William Brittain,
Mordecai Amoss,
Rank and File —
James Garrettson,
Richard Robinson,
William Parker,
Bennettt Green,
Samson Eagon,
Henry Scarff,
John Rockhold,
Michael Rutledge,
Edward Gatheridge,
Aquila Clark,
Charles Rockhold,
Andrew Cravan,
William Hitchcock,
Josias Hitchcock,
Henry Hitchcock,
John Evans,
Edward Robinson,
Jas. Scott,
William Bosley,
Aquila Miles,
Richard Shipley,
Thomas Rutledge,
Jonathan Cunningham,
Thomas Thomas,
James Everett,
Samuel Foster,
Morris Baker,
James Donnelly,
Jacob Davis,
Thomas Slade,
Richard Perkins,
Henry Scharff,
Richard Everett,
Daniel Pocock,
John Warrick,
William Warrick,
William Barton,
James Campbell,
Andrew Thompson,
Thomas Cunningham,
Thomas James, Jr.,
James Currey,
John Davis,
Walter Rice,
Joseph Jones,
Thomas Conner.
James Richardson,
George Chalk,
John Chalk,
James Turk,
Nicholas Day,
Henry Day,
Peter Carroll,
Henry Enlows,
Matthew Creswell,
James Hunt,
Abram Rutledge,
Robert Clark,
John Corbett,
Lewis Corbett,
Peter Miller,
William Baldwin,
Underwood Guyton,
Morris Lane,
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
1 21
Captain William Webb's Company. — No. 16.
Witness our hands this 14th day of October, 1775
William Webb, Captain.
Ignatius Wheeler, Jr., 1st
Lieut.
William Fisher, Jr., 2d
Lieut.
John Webb, Jr., Ensign.
Richard James,
George Rogers,
William Whiteford,
Robert Gilchrist,
Michael Daugherty,
William Crooks, Jr.,
Hugh Whiteford,
Robert McCradey,
John Beaver,
Gilbert Crockett,
Thomas Jones,
Samuel Crockett,
Andrew Lindsay,
Archibald Ingram,
James Clark,
James Anderson,
James Linam,
John Beshang,
Thomas Brown,
Michael Sivers,
Stephen Marford,
Philip Albert,
Patrick Halfpenny,
Ralph Ellison,
Thomas Duff,
Simon Jordon,
Charles Beaver,
Thomas Beaver,
Enclidus Scarborough,
Francis Jenkins,
James King,
Benjamin Thomas,
Nathaniel Smith,
William Sparks,
Baker Rigdon,
John Smith,
James Lewis,
Robert McNear,
James Phillips,
John Jackson,
Stophel Penchieff,
William Hart,
Francis King,
William King,
Godfrey Fye,
John Morrow,
Edmund Callahan,
Hugh McGough,
Thomas Crooke,
John Taylor,
John McFaden,
James Hutcheson,
Joseph Wilson,
Robert Griffin,
John Beaven,
Levi Low,
William Thoriman,
John Barnhouse,
William More,
John Smith, Jr.,
Thomas Ellett,
Samuel Ellett,
William Smith,
William Lytle,
Jonas Gilbert,
William Murdock,
Daniel More,
Thomas Gallion,
122
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
James Alexander,
James Barnett,
Robert Williamson,
James Garrettson,
Daniel Lindsay,
John Wright,
Archibald Wilson,
George Patrick,
James McDaniel,
James Allen,
Sedgwick James,
John Scarborough,
John Woodward,
Richard Trotter,
James Trotter,
James Jackson.
John Patrick, Captain. — No. 17.
Witness our hands this 1st April, 1776:
John Patrick, Captain. James Morris,
Winston Dallam, First John Scantlin,
Lieut. Thos. Stephenson,
Samuel Baylis, 2d Lieut.
Richard Ward, Ensign.
Samuel Hopkins,
Chas. Worthington,
Samuel Worthington,
Barnet Daugherty,
Joseph Amoss,
Joseph McKinney,
James Love,
Charles Bevard,
Jas. Bevard,
William Snodgrass,
Job Barnes, „
John West,
Thomas Armott,
Robert James,
William Husband,
Ezekiel Barnes,
John Hilton,
Richard Dallam,
Gideon Gover,
Jonathan Sterrett,
John Dallam,
Hugh Deaver,
Thomas Stapleton,
William Brannon,
David Armstrong,
Philip Warnock,
Samuel Hawkins,
Reuben Jones,
William Scarborough,
Patrick McMurray,
Michael Knight,
William Silver,
Robert Creswell, Sr.,
Robert Creswell, Jr.,
Thomas Scarborough,
John Flynn,
Andrew Scott,
Enclidus Scarborough, Sr.,
William McLaney,
George Carroll,
Andrew Ramsay,
William Ammott,
John Reese,
James Murfey,
Arthur Macken,
Josiah Stapleton,
Robert Morgan, Jr.,
Michael Norris.
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
123
Companies of the Flying Camp.
Captain Robert Harris' Company of Harford
Rifles.
Philadelphia, Nov. 2, 1776.
Wm. Coale, 1st Lieut.
Wm. Downs, 2d Lieut.
Jos. Renshaw, Ensign.
James Cooper,
Mathew McElhaney,
Joshua James,
John Chance,
James Treno,
Levi Low,
William Feely,
Alexander Stevenson,
Robert Hanna,
Gregory White,
Robert Gordon,
Jas. Bull,
James Harris,
William Hall,
Richard Hopkins,
William Chambers,
Patrick Nowlan,
William Crooks,
James Watson,
Robert Armstrong,
Michael Dougherty,
James Donnelly,
Matthew Creswell,
Edward Dougherty,
Jonathan Smith,
Zebedee Hicks,
Horatio Coop,
Richard Jordon,
James Blaney,
Christopher Fort,
William Latomore,
Francis Gibson,
John Davidson,
David Armstrong,
Barnet Rain,
Thos. Roads,
John Cook,
John Bush,
William Cook,
Alexander Thompson,
Hugh Hutson,
William Gordon,
William Cuthbert,
James Munday,
Joseph Saunders,
John Armstrong,
Jonathan Eddy,
John Baker,
John Latimore,
Aquila Dunham,
Edward Morgan,
David Wavy,
John Haig,
Gykes Hodges,
James Rigdon,
Jas. Wilgus,
Benjamin Wailey,
Thomas Capen,
David McCullogh,
Abel Green,
Matthew Skell,
Charles Anderson,
David Campbell,
Thomas Steuart,
William Kirkpatrick,
124
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
Joseph Steel,
John Orr,
John Patrick,
John Paine,
John Taylor,
Joseph Dueberry,
James Miller,
Jesse Logan,
Robert Spencer,
Griffith Evans.
Francis Holland, Capt.
John Carlile, ist Lieut.
Wm. Young, 2d Lieut.
Robert Morgan, Ensign.
Thomas Hall,
Wm. Hall of Aquila,
William Fell,
Daniel Richardson,
William Colter,
William Ross,
John Bull,
John Barnes,
James Paca,
Edmund Callahan,
Benjamin Cluver,
Jarvis Gilbert,
Samuel Elliott,
Archibald Ingram,
Robert Conn,
John Mitchell,
Michael Schrife,
Samuel Gilbert,
Andrew Ramsey,
Daniel Nutter well,
John Cooley,
Thomas Sutton,
Francis Pitt,
David Thompson,
Benjamin Barnes,
William Silver,
Frisby Dorsey,
Hugh McIntosh,
William Loney,
Obadiah Pritchard,
Nathan Bailess,
Jonas Bailess,
Benedict Edward Hall,
Roger Matthews,
Richard Dallam,
Richard Wilmott,
Elijah Davis,
Davis Smith,
Robert Renshaw,
Daniel Bailess,
Nathan Swain,
Benjamin Osborn,
John Whitaker,
James Brown,
Aquila Paca, Jr.,
Josias Wheeler,
Samuel Gover,
Thomas Wheeler,
John Hanson,
James Matthews,
Joseph Wheeler,
Morgan Conney, drum-
mer;
Thomas Duke,
Thomas Giles,
Thomas Webster,
William Hall, Sr.,
George Young,
John Copeland,
James Hall,
Robert Stokes,
Ralph Smith,
Negro Nora, captain’s ser-
vant.
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
125
The two last named companies were attached to the
army after the defeat at Fort Washington, and per-
formed the usual camp and guard duties, but did not
have an opportunity to take part in battle.
A List of Men Enrolled by Capt. James Young, Lieut.
James Bond, Lieut. John Smith and Ensign James
Tool. To Compose One Company in Col. Thomas
Ewing's Battalion for the Flying Camp. August,
1776.
CADETS :
Stephen Dorsey America
Joshua Brown America
John Allinder America
William Osborne (Osbourn) America
Thomas Goldsmith America
William Bunting England
SERGEANT I
David Smith, 4th America
drummer :
Thomas Cole England
fifer :
Francis Herd (a servant) America
privates :
William Appleby America
William Price .England
Edward Murphey Ireland
Richard Hackett England
Nicholas Rylie (Reiley) Ireland
Hugh Deiver (Devier) America
William Rice England
Michael Meloy Ireland
Robert Stevenson America
Lawrence Connoway (Conaway) Ireland
Patrick Tiarny Ireland
Patrick Fowler Ireland
126
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
James Hannah (Hanna) Ireland
Peter Donnavon (Donavan) Ireland
William King America
Joseph Whitefeatt England
James Smith England
Charles O’Neale Ireland
Records of Maryland Troops in the Continental Ser-
vice During the War of the American Revolution ,
1775-83-
HARFORD COUNTY.
Captain, Aquila Paca. Captain, Bennet Bussey.
1st Lieut., John Beedle 1st Lieut., Joshua Miles.
Hall. Ensign, Aquila Amos.*
2d Lieut., Michael Gilbert.
Enrolled by Captain Paca. Reviewed and passed by
Jos. Carvil Hall , July 24, 1776.
Isaac Johnson,
James Thomas,
Thomas Stevenson,
Barney Haney,
Jas. Allen,
Job Bennington,
Joseph Glyn,
Aquila Lee Jones,
William Robinson,
Jacob Dozens,
Isaac Dozens,
Wm. Gray Dozens,
Ephraim Collins,
Reese Jones,
Edward Morris,
William Saunders,
John Morris,
John Collins,
Wm. Brucebanks,
Cornelius Akins,
Thomas Younger,
Isaac Giant,
Jonathan Walker,
Thomas Welsh,
John Clarke,
Thomas Dusft, or Dufft,
Thomas McDaniel,
John Loney,
Alexander Nolstone,
Michael Barry,
William Duly,
John O’Neal,
Amatio Taylor,
William Durham,
Alexander Admiston,
Jas Willson,
Michael Morris,
Matthew Snodey.
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
127
Hall. Passed by Aquila Hall ,
Enrolled by Lieut. J. B.
August 5, 1776.
Joab Murphy,
William Hart,
Stephen Crouch,
William Logan,
John Breckenridge,
James McKnight,
John Ryan,
Charles Williams,
Israel Combest,
Michael Mullen,
Proceedings of the
177, 178.
Nicholas Brady,
George Stewart,
Leven Dorsey,
Thomas Harrod,
Edward Low,
William Hassett,
James Hurley,
John Walker,
Philip Peiken, or Pictern,
Alexander Edmonston.
Convention of Maryland, pp.
Enrolled by Capt. Bennett Bussey. Passed by Thos.
Bond , July 20, 1776.
Grafton Preston,
John Clayton, (Clyton),
Robt. Ogle,
Edw. Johnson,
Wm. Greenhill, (Green
Hill),
Wm. Preston,
Isaac Akeright, (Aks-
right),
James Matthews,
Michael Carr,
Thomas Hinks,
James Moore,
Simon Howard, (Frow-
ard),
Robt. Carlile, (Carlisle),
John Steel,
Thos. Able,
Lawrence Hynds,
Wm. Cooper,
John Toole,
Bartho Finn, (Firm),
Arch. McNear,
James Cox,
Godfrey Woolmore,
William Miles,
James Smith,
Benj. Rhoads,
Edw. Freeman,
Denis Clancey,
Enrolled by Capt. Bennett Bussey. Reviewed and
passed by Thos. Jones , Second Major of the Balti-
more T own Battalion of Militia.
Ambrose Timmons, Thomas Lacy.
128 HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
Enrolled by First Lieutenant Joshua Miles.
July 27, "76.
James Nelson,
Michael McNeile,
Thomas Slatry,
James Mays,
Bartholomew Downs,
Henry Shane,
John Rogers,
James Moore,
Denis Clancy,
Patrick Doran,
Passed
William Gaddis,
Laurence Hinds,
Thomas Godfrey,
John Downey,
John Condron,
Hugh McMillen,
John Dennis,
Valentine Stratford,
John Tapler,
John Spencer.
Enrolled by Lieut . Asell Hitchcock , Jr. Passed by
Asell Hitchcock, July 25, 1776.
Thos. James,
Wm. Cunningham,
Wm. Wright,
Asell Rockwell,
Wm. Rutledge,
Wm. Night,
Wm. Condron,
Richard Hopkins,
Sami. Baxley,
John Garrett,
Andrew Craven,
Jos. Wood White,
Cladius Jamison,
Chas. Porter,
Sami. Hodgskins,
Martin Scary,
Jonathan Cunningham,
John Lyon,
Noah Reaves,
Patrick Norton.
Enrolled by Ensign Aquila Amos. Passed by Thos.
Bond, July 25, 1776.
Mordecai Amos,
Joshua Amos,
William Gash,
Richard Burk,
George Gardner, (Garder)
Winstone Smith,
Barnye Devine,
John Roberts,
John Miles,
Daniel Darby,
Samuel Peacock,
John Catherwood,
(Cartherwood)
John O’Donel,
Nathan Smith,
John Long.
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
129
FOURTH REGIMENT.
Muster roll of Capt. Alexander Lawson Smith’s
Company, including part of the companies belonging
to the regiment of Lieut.-Col. Moses Rawlings, being
a part of the Eleventh Virginia Regiment, commanded
by Col. Daniel Morgan, Lieutenant-Colonel Febiger
and Lieutenant-Colonel Nicholas during 1777, and
afterward being a part of the Fourth Maryland Regi-
ment, commanded by Col. Josias Carvel Hall.
From rolls for June, July, 1777, Col. Morgan; Sep-
tember, 1777, Lieutenant-Colonel Febiger; October,
1777, Lieutenant-Colonel Nicholas ; January, 1778, to
January, 1779, inclusive, Colonel Hall.
Alex. Lawson Smith,
Captain.
Wm. Bradford, Lieut.
Adamson Tannehill, Lieut.
Elijah Evans, Lieut.
John Thompson, Sergt.
Matthew Alexander, Sergt.
Joshua Saunders, Sergt.
Isaac Rose, Sergt.
John Stafford, Sergt.
John Chinneth, (Chineth),
Sergt.
John Howe, (How), Cor-
poral.
Wm. Andrews, Corporal.
John Ford, Corporal. *
James Ferguson, Corporal.
Arthur Chinneth, ( Chin-
eth), Corporal.
Thos. Lovely, Fifer.
John McBride, Drummer.
Privates —
Reuben Ross,
Thomas Smith,
Samuel Power,
Abraham Watson,
John Callender,
James Dennison,
John Cooper,
John Debruler,
Chas. Baker,
Henry Rowland,
Wm. Cooper,
Wm. Cattrill (Cattrell),
John Irons,
Josias Kimble, (Kimbal),
Patrick Quinn,
John Leviston,
David Knight,
Thos. Harris,
John Collins,
John Cotman,
John Crockett,
Wm. McCullough,
Thos. Dearmott,
Jesse Corbett, (Corbit),
John Wilson,
Wm Pritchard.
130 HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
Payroll of Capt. Robert Harris ’ Company for the Extra
Month’s Pay.
Benj. Scott, 1st Lieut.
Michael Dougherty, 2d
Lieut.
Michael Connelly, Sergt.
Richard Moland, Corporal.
Stephen Price, Corporal.
Alex. Stephenson, Fifer.
Privates —
Nicholas Delany,
Abraham Hooper,
Michael McCann,
James Boyle,
John Reardon,
A return of Recruits Enlisted in Harford County,
1780.
John McDonal, First Maryland Regiment.
Aaron Winfred, First Maryland Regiment.
Moses Williams, New Regiment.
Thomas Blunder, New Regiment.
Christopher Seemer, New Regiment.
William Chapman, New Regiment.
William Wilson, (deserted since enlistment), New
Regiment.
Edward Freeman, New Regiment.
James Scott, New Regiment.
Edward Burgess, First Maryland Regiment.
Dennis Downs, New Regiment.
Joseph McNamarra, New Regiment.
William Lytle, New Regiment.
Nathaniel Sullivan, New Regiment.
Andrew McCune, New Regiment.
James Jordon, New Regiment.
James McDonal, New Regiment.
John Lewis, New Regiment.
James Sullivan, New Regiment.
Patk. O’Mullan,
Patk. Eagon,
Timothy Brannon,
Joseph Woods,
Peter Swanton,
James Rattican,
Dominick Coyn,
James Kearns,
Charles Ashman,
Wm. Hawly,
Benj. Taylor,
Wm. Anderson, deserted.
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
131
Wm. Bowden, New Regiment.
James Phillips, New Regiment.
Daniel Darby, New Regiment.
John Park, New Regiment, broke gaol and made his
escape.
Thomas Beaver, New Regiment.
John Garreguies, Eighth Maryland Regiment.
William Gloury. James Fitz Gerrald.
Francis McClane. Thomas Smith,
John Butler, John Cooley.
Peter Scott. James Jackson.
Michael Daugherty. William Lowry.
James O’Brian. Thomas Duff.
Harford County, December 11, 1781.
Sir — Agreeable to Directions from the Lieut. En-
closed I transmit your Excellency, A Return of Re-
cruits, Drafts, &c., Agreeable to an Act Entitled an Act
to procure Recruits, Also a Return of Substitutes &
Draughts, Agreeable to an Act Entitled an Act to
Raise Two Battalions of Militia — I should also have
sent your Excellency an Account of the Balance due
the State of the four Shilling Tax, but there is not yet
as much Collected as has been paid to Recruits, and
the Lieut, has thought it unnecessary to grant more
Executions, as the Sheriff has not settled for, nor paid,
what has been Already Granted, tho a long time in his
hands. I am your Excellency’s very Humble Servant,
A. Crawford, Sec'y L. H. County.
To his Excellency, Thos. Sim Lee, Esq.
Return of Recruits , Substitutes and Drafts raised
in Harford County for the Two Battalions of
Militia , Agreeable to an Act of Assembly, in the
Year, 1781.
Names of Substitutes —
John Gordon, John Usher,
Nathan Strong, John Morris,
132
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
John Curl,
Sami. Hodgkins,
Barachius Coop,
William Bently,
Edward Fincham,
William Wright,
Griffith Evans,
William Butler,
James Keys,
Wm. Truss,
James Bond,
George Todd,
Peter Ratagan,
John Sullivan,
John Shields,
Alex. Christie,
Thos. Monahon,
John Miles,
Anguis McCreary,
James Condren,
Wm. Payne,
John Willard,
Thos. Ask,
James Silk,
John Norris,
Robert Mitchell.
Names of Drafts —
William Condron,
Samuel Scarborough, de- George O’Keil,
serted,
William Smith,
Horatio Coop,
Nathan Price,
Jeremiah Williamson, John Offield.
John Dearmott, taken ill with the flux.
Aaron Grace, discharged, being poor and having a
wife and five children.
David Deaver, discharged, same having wife and
seven children.
Negroe Tower, discharged, same having wife and
children.
Nathan Gallion, infirm and sickly.
Edward Prigg, id
Richard Greenland, id
Richard Kenly, id
Jona. West, poor ; a wife and children to support.
Joseph Johnson, id
Thos. Rhoads, id
Wm. Grafton, id
Nathan Johns, a Quaker and id., but did not appear.
Richard Johns, id., son to the above.
Isaac Henry, id., did not appear.
Robt. Jones, never taken up.
Nathan Browley, id
Henry Russ,
id
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
133
James McGaw,
id
John McGaw,
id
Wm. Major,
James Bevard,
id
id
Joseph Aikens,
id
Henry Harrod,
id
Thos. Ely, Quaker,
id
Wm. Judd, kept out of the way.
Michael Rook, run.
James Andrews, id.
Wm. Gash, id.
A. Crawford, Sec’y L . H. County.
December 11, 1781.
Return of Recruits , Substitutes and Drafts raised in
Harford County , Agreeable to an Act Entitled
An Act to Procure Recruits in the Year 1781.
Oliver Denny,
Edward Appleton,
John Oldham White,
George Gardners,
John Pendall,
John McClain,
John Fulfit,
Thos. Sheredin,
John Overman,
John Hutson,
Lawrence Hines,
William Newberry,
John McCall,
John Ranson,
Evan Thomas,
Patrick Mullen,
James Hutson,
John Finnch,
Philip McDonald,
Neal McOwen,
Wm. Coe,
James Caple,
Peter French,
John Wilson,
James Cromwell,
Robert Jones,
John H. Dorsey,
Peter Wedoney,
John O’Neal,
John Thompson.
Drafts:
James McNabb,
Benj. Culver,
Wm. Catlin,
Wm. Carlen,
Daniel Davey,
Danl. Douglas,
Sami. McComas.
A. Crawford, Secy. L. H. County.
December 11, 1781.
134
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
Capt. Robt. Harris’ Company of Flying Camp Mili-
tia.*
Philadelphia, 9th Nov., 1776.
September 16:
James Coop,
Matthew McElhany,
Joshua James,
John Chance,
James Trene,
Levi Low,
Wm. Feely,
Alexander Stevenson,
Robt. Hannah,
Gregory White,
September 18:
Robert Gordon.
September 21 :
James Bull,
James Harris,
Wm. Hall.
September 28:
Jas Balney,
Christopher Fort.
October 15:
Wm. Lattimore,
Francis Gibson,
John Davidson.
October 16:
David Armstrong,
Barnet Rain,
Thos. Roads,
John Cook,
John Bush.
October 17:
Wm. Cook,
Alex. Thomson.
September 21 :
Richard Hopkins,
Wm. Chambers,
Patrick Nowlan.
October 4 :
John Haig,
Gyks Hodges.
October 16:
James Rigden.
October 17:
Jas Witgurs.
October 18:
Benj. Wailey.
October 20 :
Thos. Capen,
David McCullough.
September 27:
Able Green,
October 1 :
Mathw. Skel.
October 2 :
Chas. Anderson.
October 3 :
David Campbell,
Thomas Stewart.
October 19 :
Hugh Hutson,
Wm. Jordan.
September 26:
Wm. Cuthbert,
Jas. Munday,
Joseph Sanders.
September 25:
John Armstrong.
September 28 :
Jona. Eddy.
September 29
John Baker,
John Lattimore,
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
135
Aquilla Dunham.
October 1 :
Edwd. Morgan.
October 4:
Wm. Crook,
Jas. Watson,
Robt. Armstrong,
Michael Daugherty.
October 5 :
Jas. Donnaly,
Matthew Criswell.
October 16:
Edmd. Daugherty.
October 19:
John Smith.
September 16:
Zebedee Hicks,
Horatio Coop.
September 25 :
Richard Jordan.
October 3 :
Wm. Kirkpatrick.
October 6:
Joseph Steel.
John Orr,
John Patrick,
John Pain.
October 7 :
John Taylor.
October 9 :
Joseph Dueberry.
October 7 :
Jas. Miller,
Jessy Logan,
Robert Spencer,
Griffith Evans.
Archives of Maryland, Vol. XII., pages 435-6.
The battle of the Revolution in which Harford took
the most conspicuous part was that of Fort Washing-
ton, on the Hudson river, in the State of New York,
on November 16, 1776. General Washington had in-
tended this fort to be evacuated, but through a misun-
derstanding, General Greene, who was in immediate
command in that section, sent reinforcements. Among
these were Col. Moses Rawlings’ regiment of Maryland
riflemen, the garrison in the fort after being reinforced,
amounting to two thousand men. The engagement
was most sanguinary, but the Americans in the end
were forced to retreat. The battle lasted several hours,
the loss on both sides being heavy. The British lost
nearly nine hundred men in killed and wounded,
more than half of which was sustained in the attack
upon Rawlings’ riflemen. Gordon, in his History of
136 HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
the American Revolution, says: “It cost Knyphausen
near upon eight hundred men to force the single regi-
ment of Rawlings back.”
G. W. Greene says : “Had Rawlings been supported,
Knyphausen could not have gained the north lines;
but the men refused to man them, and crowded into the
redoubt, where they became a compact mark for the
enemy’s guns. The defence on the east was still more
irresolute, and there are questions connected with that
on the south which will, it is probable, never be solved.
But had it been like that of Rawlings’ riflemen it would
well nigh crippled the enemy.”*
General Washington said of this engagement : “The
enemy have suffered greatly on the north side of Fort
Washington. Colonel Rawlings’ regiment (late Hugh
Stephenson’s) was posted there and behaved with great
gallantry.”
The following is the roster of the Harford Company
taking part in this battle :
First Company of Maryland Rides, under Lieutenant-
Colonel Moses Rawlings — Alex. Lawson Smith, cap-
tain; William Bradford, lieutenant; John Tompson,
sergeant ; Matthew Alexander, sergeant ; Joshua Saun-
ders, sergeant; Isaac Rose, corporal; John Howe,
corporal ; Thomas Lively, fifer.
Ridemen — William Andrews, Josias Kimball, Sam-
uel Power, John Cooper, Patrick McCann, John De
Bruler, Charles Baker, John Coltman, Thos. Smith,
Abraham Watson, James Dennison, Henry Rowlin,
William Catterill, John Leviston, William Pritchard,
John Irons, William Cooper, Jesse Corbitt, Thos. Dear-
mott, Reuben Ross, John Crockett, Patrick Quinn.
♦Scharf’s History of Maryland.
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY. 1 37
On October 28, 1776, was fought the battle of White
Plains, in which engagement the second battalion of
the flying camp took part. This battalion was com-
manded by Col. Josias Carvil Hall, and contained two
companies from Harford.
One of these companies was commanded by Captain
Bennet Bussey, the other commissioned officers of
which were : Joshua Miles, first lieutenant ; Azael Hitch-
cock, second lieutenant, and Aquila Amos, ensign. The
other company had the following commissioned offi-
cers : Aquila Paca, captain ; John Beadle Hall, first lieu-
tenant; Michael Gilbert, second lieutenant; John Pat-
terson, ensign.
CHAPTER XIII.
LAFAYETTE’S EXPEDITION THROUGH
HARFORD, 1781.
OFFICERS OF THE COMMAND — LAFAYETTE SPENDS NIGHT AT HOUSE
OF COL. JAMES RIGBY, NEAR DARLINGTON — ALEX. HAMILTON —
PROCLAMATION AGAINST DESERTION — AQUILA DEAVER — AN
ANECDOTE OF THE EXPEDITION — CAPTAINS GREME AND GIMAT.
On April 6, 1781, Washington wrote from New
Windsor, in Connecticut, to Lafayette, then at Elkton,
Md., directing him to move with a detachment of the
American Army and reinforce General Greene in the
South. In response to this order Lafayette departed
from Elkton on April 1 1 and crossed the Susquehanna
into Harford county at a point now known as Bald
Friar.
The following is a list of the regiments and officers
composing his command :
INFANTRY.
Major-General, Marquis de La Fayette.
Division Inspector , Major William Barber, of New
Jersey.
FIRST BRIGADE.
Brigade Major, Captain John Hobby, Tenth Massa-
chusetts.
FIRST BATTALION.
Colonel, Joseph Vose, of Massachusetts.
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
139
Major , Caleb Gibbs, of Rhode Island.
Eight Massachusetts Companies.
SECOND BATTALION.
Lieutenant-Colonel Gimat.
Major , John Palsgrave Wyllyse, of Connecticut.
Five companies, four Massachusetts and one Rhode
Island company.
THIRD BATTALION.
Lieutenant-Colonel , Francis Barber, of New Jersey.
Major , Jos. R. Reed (of H ), New Jersey.
Five companies New Hampshire and New Jersey
troops.
SECOND BRIGADE.
Brevet Brigadier-General , Moses Hazen, of Canada.
Brigade Major , Captain Leonard Bleeker, First New
York.
FIRST BATTALION.
Lieutenant-Colonel, Ebenezer Huntington, of Con-
necticut.
Major, Nathan Rice, of Massachusetts.
Four companies Massachusetts and Connecticut
troops.
SECOND BATTALION.
Lieutenant-Colonel, Alexander Hamilton, of New
York.
Major, Nicholas Fish, of New York.
Four companies, two New York and two Connecti-
cut troops.
THIRD BATTALION.
Lieutenant-Colonel, John Laurens, of South Caro-
lina.
140 HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
Major , John N. Cumming, of New Jersey.
Four companies of New Hampshire, Massachusetts
and Connecticut.
FOURTH BATTALION.
Lieutenant-Colonel , Edward Antrill.
Major, Tarleton Woodson.
Hazen’s Canadian Regiment.
La Fayette in his memoirs says the richest young
men in Virginia and Maryland came to join him as
volunteer dragoons, and from their intelligence, as well
as the superiority of their horses, they were of essen-
tial service to him.
The General after leaving Elkton passed the first
night at the house of Job Haines, near Rising Sun, in
Cecil county, and the next day after crossing the river
at Bald Friar, he became the guest of Colonel James
Rigby, an ancestor of the Massey family in the Dar-
lington section of the county.
The old house near the river is yet standing in
which La Fayette wrote a letter to Col. Alexander Ham-
ilton, who was temporarily absent from his command.
Near the residence of Colonel Rigby there is an old log
building which was used as a jail in the Colonel’s time.
It is built of yellow poplar logs laid close together, and
when in good order it was doubtless a secure place of
confinement for ordinary offenders.
La Fayette held a council of his officers at Colonel
Rigby’s house on the night of April 13, 1781. In imag-
ination we can go back to that night in the old Rigby
Mansion and to the capacious fireplace with the blaz-
ing logs. The fireplace was in one of those wonderful
chimneys that were the pride of our forefathers and a
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY. I4I
marvel to persons now living. The present owner tore
it down some years ago, and after building from it a
modern chimney had bricks enough from it to build
an outbuilding.
In the fields about the house the men and horses had
such food and shelter as their scanty commissariat
afforded. At the council besides La Fayette were Gen-
eral Hazen and Colonels Vose, Gimat, Barber, Hunt-
ingdon and the other field officers. The question of
desertions was the matter under consideration. At this
council in the old house of Colonel Rigby a proclama-
tion was prepared and next day issued, in which the
General stated that he was on his way to meet and
fight a powerful foe. That for himself no diminution
in numbers would deter him, but that firm in reliance
on the God of battles and the justice of the American
cause, he would continue his march to meet the enemy.
He closed by offering a free pass to every soldier
applying for it at headquarters by which he might have
leave to go home. Not one man availed himself of the
offer, and from that time desertion ceased.
In crossing the Susquehanna the boat in which was
La Fayette ran aground before reaching the land, and
Aquila Deaver, one of the soldiers, carried the General
ashore on his back. Aquila Deaver lived in Harford
county for nearly half a century after the Revolution,
dying about 1835, and the writer has heard the account
from an old gentleman now living who, when a boy,
heard it from the old pensioner himself, who would
relate his experience from his seat on the counter of
the Hopewell store, seventy years ago.
Forty- three years after this incident, when, in 1824,
La Fayette passed through Cecil and Harford counties
142 HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
on his tour as the guest of the nation, he held a recep-
tion at Port Deposit, and Aquila Deaver, then grown
from a boy to an old man, paid his respects to his com-
mander, who, too, had long passed the meridian of life
and felt the weight of his many years and cares. The
old soldier reminded the General of the incident at the
ferry, and was greatly pleased to find that the distin-
guished visitor clearly remembered both the person and
the service.
The troops marched by way of Trappe Church,
Priestford, Churchville, Bush and Abingdon to Balti-
more. La Fayette dined at Bush, which was then the
county seat. Before reaching the Trappe church a
trunk said to contain coin was lost from a baggage
wagon. It was found and restored by Reuben Jones,
who has numerous descendants now living in Dublin
district of Harford county.
Mr. Angus Greme, who died in 1880, at the residence
of Mr. Edward M. Allen, near Darlington, in Harford
county, aged eighty years, was a son of Captain Greme,
who served on La Fayette’s staff on this expediton.
When the officers reached that part of the road
which descends to Deer Creek, at Priestford, from the
Trappe Church, opposite the beautiful Indian Spring
farm, they were enchanted with the scene. Looking
westward in descending Deer Creek they beheld the
valley that stretches across the creek and up Thomas’
Run. Capt. Greme agreed with his friend, Capt. Gimat,
that when the war was over they would return to
France, and after arranging their affairs, come back to
America and buy the land which so enchanted their
eyes. This plan they carried out, and after gentle
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
143
peace had spread her wings over the land the two
friends returned and bought the rich farm, lately the
home of Dr. James M. Magraw, on Thomas’ Run.
Gimat, who was wealthy, paid for the land and present-
ed it to his friend Greme, and both returned to France,
intending to come back to America. But they served
in the French Army in the war then in progress on the
continent, and Gimat went to Santo Domingo in the
service of France and was killed there.
Greme, however, returned, bringing his wife and
several children, and he lived and died on the estate he
and his friend had chosen as the most beautiful spot
they had seen in America. He died in the year
1800, and lies buried in the cemetery of the Trappe
Church, in Harford county, where a stone marks his
grave, bearing on it an inscription stating his connec-
tion with the Army of La Fayette.
Colonel Gimat was especially distinguished at York-
town, whither La Fayette led his detachment which
passed through Harford.*
*From address before Maryland Historical Society by Mr. E. M. Allen.
CHAPTER XIV.
OLD CHURCHES.
SPESUTIA CHURCH IN ST. GEORGE^ PARISH, HARFORD COUNTY,
MARYLAND — THE CATHOLIC CHURCH — BETHEL.
SPESUTIA*
Although the existing records carry us back two
centuries, it is more than probable that many years
of the history of St. George’s have been irrevocably
lost. There is the records’ internal evidence, which
clearly shows that its existence as a parish reaches back
to a period far beyond the time of their earliest date.
Uniform tradition informs us that the first church
erected in this parish stood near Michaelsville, at a
place called “Gravelly.” Here the spot is pointed out,
and here are the almost obliterated remains of the
building in which the first founders of the ancient
parish worshiped, whilst the sunken graves on every
side mark their last earthly resting place. These,
together with the fact that the bridge near this locality
is called “Church Bridge,” and has been so called from
time beyond the recollection of any one living, is, we
think, very clear evidence of the fact that the spot
which we have designated is that which was conse-
crated by being the site of the original “Spesutia
Church,” the first place of worship ever erected in St.
George’s Parish. From the circumstance that none
of the materials of this primitive church edifice are
*Selected from the Pamphlet History by Rev. S. W. Crampton.
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY. 1 45
now to be found, the presumption is that it was a
wooden structure. Allowing thirty years as the time
this first church stood, (and the probability is that it
stood much longer), calculating from a date now upon
record, we are induced to fix upon the year 1671 as the
latest date from which to reckon the organization of
St. George’s Parish.
The first event which the church register records,
which register is a book of parchment, is that of the
birth of “John Cook, son of John Cook, born at Bush
river, on the 25th of September, in the year of our
Lord, 1681.” The register in question, viz., the book
of parchment, is the only record of these times now
extant, and it contains a summary of the births, mar-
riages and deaths of the early parishioners. The
record of vestry acts, we regret to say, is lost. This,
could it be recovered, would be an interesting docu-
ment, as it would, no doubt, detail to us the advanc-
ing stages of growth and improvement of the parish
from the time at which the humble wooden edifice
arose in the heart of the forest to gladden the souls
of the first worshipers, to the erection of the spacious
brick structure, with its arched windows, its vaulted
roof and imposing proportions, surrounded, too, not by
the unreclaimed forest, but by fertile fields and active,
thriving industry. But the record we say is irrevoca-
bly lost, and imagination of the reader must supply the
gap. For some cause or other, the original wooden
church, near Michaelsville, was permitted to go down.
As the country became opened there seems to have been
a tendency on the part of the people to move upward
through the forest in quest of health or wealth, or prob-
ably both. This of course, removed the parishioners
146 HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
more remotely from their first selected spot, and in-
clined them to choose another location for a new
church. With this state of things we approach the
period at which our written authenticated record
begins.
About the year A. D. 1718 we find that a piece of
land, containing two acres, was given and deeded to the
vestry of St. George’s Parish, by James Phillips, for
the purpose of building a church upon it. This was
a park of an ancient tract of land, known as “James*
Park,” and a more beautiful and appropriate spot could
hardly have been found. The lot borders on a small
meandering stream, and is distinguished by clusters of
large primitive oaks, whose wide spreading branches
seem to proclaim to the passer-by that the spot which
he is approaching is holy ground; whilst to the east-
ward an extensive champaign country stretches out as
far as the eye can reach, with its fertile fields and com-
fortable homesteads. By this consecrated, sacred spot
many a traveler wends his way, as it borders immedi-
ately upon the great highway, along which most of the
travel of this region must pass; whilst for more than
a mile, as the stranger of every land and clime is whirled
along upon the Philadelphia, Wilmington & Baltimore
Railroad, the most prominent and attractive object that
meets his gaze is “Spesutia church” and its embower-
ing oaks. Indeed, no one can visit or look upon this
spot without at once being impressed with its surpass-
ing beauty. But to pass on to the second church edifice
erected in St. George’s Parish. This church was built
about the year of our Lord 1718, at which time we
find that the Rev. Evan Evans, D. D., was the incum-
bent. The probability is that during the incumbency
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY. 1 47
of this rector the second church building was erected.
This, like the first, was a wooden building, though,
perhaps, on a larger scale, and of much more sub-
stantial fabric, for at this time, as every family seems
to have been a church family, the congregation must
have been very large, and extensive accommodations
were consequently required. But whatever might have
been the capacity or expensiveness of this church build-
ing, it had quite gone into decay before it was again
rebuilt. In its dilapidated condition the materials were
finally sold at a public vendue, and were purchased by
Dr. Alexander Stenhouse for the small sum of :65.8s.
There was also at this time a vestry house on the same
lot, which being in a better state of preservation than
the church, seems to have remained for several years
after the latter was removed.
The next rector was the Rev. Robert Weyman, who
was inducted in the year 1722. Prior to this he had
been supplying the parish temporarily. In 1724 Rev.
John Humphreys produced letters of induction from
his excellency, Charles Calvert, Governor of the
Province of Maryland.
In the year 1725 Rev. John Holbrook was inducted.
In 1726 Rev. Charles Smith produced letters of induc-
tion from his excellency, Charles Calvert, Governor of
the Province. This reverend gentleman seems to have
been somewhat refractory, as the following letter
shows :
“Sir, I perceive, notwithstanding my letter to you,
wherein I ordered you to conform to the government
or else to return your induction, that you have done
neither. I therefore positively require you to deliver
148 HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
your induction to the bearer, as you will answer to the
contrary. Charles Calvert.
“To the Rev. Charles Smith , in Baltimore County ”
“1st May, 1 726/’
On the 4th of June, 1726, at a vestry meeting, the
following letter was presented :
“Maryland, by the Hon. Charles Calvert, Esq.,
“Captain-General and Commander-in-Chief.
To the Vestry of St. George’s Parish in Baltimore Co.
“Greeting: Whereas, the Rev. Stephen Wilkinson
hath been sent and recommended by the Rev. Father
in God, Edmond, Lord Bishop of London, Diocesan of
this Province, to officiate as minister of the Church of
England, I do hereby appoint the said Stephen Wilkin-
son minister of your parish, willing, and requiring you
to receive him as such, and strictly command you to
be aiding and assisting him ; to the intent, he may have
the full benefit of the forty pounds of Tob. per poll,
raised for the support of the ministers of your parish,
and all other rights, dues and perquisites to the said
office belonging.
“Given at Annapolis, this 25th day of May, 1726.”
The gentleman just appointed by the governor seems
to have been quite popular for a time. He continued
as rector of the parish through a space of eighteen
years. Towards the close of his incumbency he be-
came very careless, permitting the parish library to be
abused and the glebe to go into decay. It seems that
this glebe, containing two hundred acres, was bought
a few months after he became settled as rector of the
parish; it was located on “Swan Creek,” and is now
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY. 1 49
the most productive land in Harford county. It was
subsequently sold and another bought in a more
healthy part of the parish. This was again sold and is
the location of Harford Furnace. The money arising
from this sale is invested in bank stock, and yields more
than one-half of the rector’s salary. Thus, even now,
do the present members of St. George’s Parish enjoy
the benefits of those two hundred acres of land bought
one hundred and seventy-five years ago, having served
annually for so many years to aid in the support of the
ministration of the Gospel among the parishioners.
Rev. Mr. Wilkinson, whose end we have found to be
so different from his first entry into the parish, died un-
wept, unhonored and unsung. At the time of his death,
which was the 25th of March, 1744, the vestry ap-
pointed a committee, consisting of “Capt. James Phil-
lips, Col. Thomas White, Capt. Peregrine Frisbee,
and Mr. Richard Ruff, to acquaint the governor of the
death of Mr. Wilkinson, and request him not to in-
duct another minister disagreeable to the parishioners.”
The next appointment was Rev. Hugh Carlisle, in
the year 1744. During his rectorship the church had
become so dilapidated that thoughts were entertained
of rebuilding. In 1745 a petition was drawn up to the
Assembly for a levy on the taxables for this purpose.
This, however, was not carried into effect until several
years subsequently. A new rector, the Rev. Andrew
Lendrum, was inducted in the year 1749. The follow-
ing year a new petition was sent to the Assembly for
75,000 pounds of tobacco, payable in November, 1754-
55 and 56, for the purpose of rebuilding the church.
Now the work was prosecuted with vigor and resulted
in replacing the old dilapidated £5 8s. church with a fine
150 HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
brick one. It is probable that the parish at this time
was at the height of its prosperity. It had grown
strong and influential. They devised a house on a
more extensive and grand scale — a house which, at
that early day and in this then rude wilderness country,
was a monument that reflected credit on their zeal and
liberality. This was the second time Spesutia Church
had been rebuilt, and probably improved in size and
cost every time. It stood very near the old wooden one,
which, as stated, was sold to Dr. Stenhouse. As we
learn from a resolution of the vestry, the old one was
sold on a credit of six months and was to be taken away
within a given time. The purchaser, however, failing
to do this, the vestry notified him that if it should fall
against the new one after the time for its removal had
elapsed, he should be required to pay all damage the
new one might sustain in its fall. This statement is
important, because some have said that this second
building stood in one place, and some in another, and
all that it was located in a different place to the true
one. This seems to be rather an unimportant enquiry,
but in giving a history of the church it is right to cor-
rect a common error, and thereby attach to this spot a
sanctity which the hallowed purposes it has so long
served must give it.
The church now built was of brick, fifty-seven feet
long and thirty-five feet wide. The floor was laid with
flagstone. The pulpit stood on the north side and was
overhung by a canopy. The windows and doors were
arched; there was also a fine arched chancel, and this
church was furnished with an organ. It was a very
substantial building. It stood for almost a hundred
years. The foundation was deeply laid, being of hard
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY. I5I
brick, three feet thick. The timbers in the roof were
very large and of the best sawed oak, well framed to-
gether, and in a fine state of preservation when taken
down. It has been supposed that the brick were of
English manufacture, but this is a mistake, for we find
that in the month of June, 1756, Capt. John Hall took
the contract for burning and delivering one hundred
thousand for the sum of £185 is. 8d. In the following
year Mr. John Deaver engaged to put up the brick
and furnish forty-seven thousand eight hundred and
seventy-five more, which were required to complete the
work, for £177 10s. currency ; and Samuel Wallace con-
£430. The house was finished in 1758. The whole cost,
£430. The house was finished in 1758. The whole cost,
including flagstone, velvet cushions, linen for surplices,
was about $3,500. The church stood without any alter-
ation up to June, 1832, when the interior underwent
entire renovation and alteration. The flagstone floor
was taken up ; the high pulpit with its hanging canopy
was removed ; the large, square, high pews were taken
out ; the fine arched windows and doors were contracted
into square ones. The cost of the whole was about
$1,000, raised principally by means of a fair conducted
by the ladies. So it stood until the year 1851, when it
was found necessary to raze it to its foundations and
rebuild it entirely.
Having gone thus far with the three several churches
that have been built in St. George’s Parish, it is neces-
sary to go back to the year 1760, in order to take some
note of the vestry acts. We find in this year a curious
act: “The vestry proceeds to business and taxes the
undermentioned persons as bachelors:
152
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
Estate. Tax.
Wm. Osborn £300 £1
Garret Garretson 300 I
John Peacock 300 1
James Kimble 300 1
Philip Gover 300 I
W. Husband, Jr 300 1
James Lee, Jr 300 1
Isaac Webster 300 1
Samuel Wallis 300 1
J. Billingsley, Jr 300 1
Wm. Wood 300 1
Robert Dunn 300 1
John Cooper 300 1
Thomas Cooper 300 1
Stephen Cooper 300 1
John Wilkinson 300 1
David Tate. . . 100 5s.
David Maxwell 100 5s.
Richard Johns 300 £1
Joseph Hill 300 1
J. Lee Webster 300 I
J. Worthington 300 I
John Love 300 1
Thos. Husband 300 1
Samuel Wilson 300 1
George Clark 300 1
David Clark 300 1
Josiah Lyons 300 1
F. Billingsley 100 5s.
Richard Keen 100 5s.
R. Dallam, Jr 100 5s.
Robt. Bryarly, son of Robert 100 5s.
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
153
Estate. Tax.
Robert Darby 100 5s.
Sam’l Perryman 100 5s.
James Foster 100 5s.
Joseph Bromley 100 5s.
James Creswell 100 5s.
Joseph Wilson 100 5s.
M. Webster 100 5s.
Ed. Hanson 100 5s.
William Hill 100 5s.
Wm. McClure 100 5s.
Moses Hill 300 £1
Nathaniel Giles 300 1
C. Worthington, Jr 300 1
The register was ordered to make a “fair copy of this
list of bachelors, to affix it at the church door for the
above persons to make their objections why they should
not be taxed, if they have any.” A very summary, and,
one would think, convincing argument this in favor of
matrimony, and no doubt told during the ensuing year
in the number of devotees of hymen’s altar.
About this time a chapel was built on Deer Creek,
at a place called the “Trapp it was the same in every
particular, as to size and fashion, as Spesutia Church.
The rector of St. George’s officiated in it at stated
times. In the year 1851, some of the remaining church-
men applied to the vestry for a new parish, including
that site, with a view of rebuilding, which was
granted ; they applied to the convention of the diocese
and were received as an independent parish.
In the year 1769 the Rev. John Porter was inducted.
It is stated by some that he used to walk by the
154 HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
river shore and practice his sermon for the next
Sunday. He was a highly gifted speaker and attracted
great crowds, and while preaching a pin might be
heard in falling, so still and attentive were the listeners.
He lived but a little time and died in the parish, deeply
lamented by all. In 1770 the Rev. William Edmond-
son was inducted.
In the year 1772 the Rev. William West was in-
ducted. He seems to have been a very popular and
useful rector. He continued about eleven years and
was the rector during the Revolutionary War and re-
signed with a view of accepting a call to St. Paul’s,
Baltimore. For several years before and after the
famous year ’76 there were no vestry meetings. The
first meeting after the Declaration of Independence
was June 7, 1779; the gentlemen elected were Edward
Ward, Francis Holland, Greenberry Dorsey, Alexander
Rigdon, John Rumsey, Aquila Paca, Jr., and Edward
Hall; William Loney and John Farmer, church war-
dens. James Childs was chosen register. In 1783
Rev. James Wilmer was chosen rector; in 1787 Rev.
John Ireland, and in 1792 Rev. John Allen was rector.
The latter had considerable mathematical skill, and
was of great eccentricity of character. Many inno-
cent and amusing anecdotes are now related of
him. He labored long and well and died lamented.
Though not rector of the parish when he died, he was
brought here and buried at the east end of the church
by the side of his wife. Rev. Mr. Handy seems to
have been an assistant to Mr. Allen. He labored in the
town of Havre de Grace, where a church has since been
built. This, at a latter period, became an independent
parish.
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY. 15$
In 1815, Rev. Daniel Stephens, D. D., was chosen
rector, a gentleman greatly beloved. In 1820 Rev. Wil-
liam Jackson was elected rector. He remained but
two years ; but his mild and Christian deportment and
zeal for his Master’s cause left him a warm place
in the affections of the parishioners. In 1823 Rev. J.
Reynolds was chosen rector. In 1829 Rev. Edward Y.
Higbee; he was a popular preacher and greatly re-
vived the parish, both spiritually and temporally. It
was under his rectorship that the church was repaired
and changed in its interior arrangement. This change,
though it destroyed the architectural proportions of the
building, conduced very much to the comfort and con-
venience of minister and people. In 1833 Rev. Robert
Loyd Goldsborough was elected rector; in 1841 Rev.
Thomas F. Billopp, and in 1845 Rev. S. W. Crampton.
In 1851, as above noticed, the third Spesutia Church
was removed to give place for the construction of
the fourth, which is built upon the same hallowed site,
and in part upon the same foundations on which its
predecessor stood; and upon the 18th day of Septem-
ber, A. D. 1851, the interesting ceremony of laying the
corner-stone of the new church took place, an account
of which is herewith given :
“In the name of the Holy Trinity, this corner-stone
is laid with appropriate rites and ceremonies by the
Rev. Savington Warren Crampton, assisted by the Rev.
Joseph Trapnell, Jr., rector of St. Andrew’s Church,
Baltimore; Rev. George A. Leakin, rector of Trinity
Church, Baltimore, and the Rev. William F. Brand,
rector of St. Mary’s Church, Harford county, Md.
“This is the third time Spesutia Church has been
rebuilt. The first house of worship erected in St.
156 HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
George’s Parish was located on a place called Gravelly,
about half a mile southeast of Michaelsville. That is
supposed to have been a wooden house, built about
the year of our Lord 1671. About the year 1718 it
was rebuilt on the Cranberry, near the spot which is at
present occupied. The lot of ground containing about
two acres, was given by Capt. James Phillips. In
1758 it was again rebuilt. This was a fine brick
building, fifty-seven feet long and thirty-five feet wide,
with fine arch windows, doors and ceiling and a flag-
stone floor at a cost of £792 is. 8d. Capt. John Hall
contracted to burn and deliver the bricks. John Deaver
was the mason and Samuel Wallace the carpenter.
This church was repaired in the year 1832, the flag-
stone floor was removed, the arched windows and doors
were changed into the square form and the exterior
rough cast and laid off into rectangles ; the whole cost
of the repairs was about $1,000.
“So it continued up to 1851, when the whole church
is taken down and is being rebuilt with the same
bricks, in the Norman style of architecture, and is to
cost $3,465. A list of rectors from the organization of
the parish, as far as can be ascertained, shows that
they have been twenty-one in number, and are as fol-
lows : The first was Rev. Evan Evans, D. D., incum-
bent in 1718; Rev. Robert Weyman in 1722; Rev.
John Humphreys in 1724; Rev. John Holbrook in
1725; Rev. Charles Smith in 1726; Rev. Stephen Wil-
kinson in 1726; Rev. Hugh Carlisle in 1744; Rev. An-
drew Lendrum in 1749; Rev. John Porter in 1769,^
Rev. Wm. Edmundson in 1770; Rev. William West in
1772; Rev. James Wilmer in 1783; Rev. John Ireland
in 1789 ; Rev. John Allen in 1792 ; Rev. Mr. Handy, his
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY. 1 57
associate; Rev. Daniel Stephens, D. D., in 1815; Rev.
William Jackson in 1820; Rev. John Reynolds in 1823 ;
Rev. Edward Young Higbee in 1829; Rev. John Loyd
Goldsborough in 1834; Rev. Thomas F. Billopp in
1841, and the Rev. Savington Warren Crampton in
1845.
“This now third rebuilding of Spesutia Church is on
the same site as the former one. It is to be devoted to
the service of Almighty God, in accordance with the
principles of the Christian faith, as maintained by the
Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of
America, established upon the foundation of the Apos-
tles and Prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief
corner-stone.
“The Rt. Rev. William Rollinson Whittingham, D.
D., Bishop of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the
Diocese of Maryland, in the eleventh year of his epis-
copate. His Excellency, Millard Fillmore, President
of the United States. His excellency, E. Louis Lowe,
Governor of Maryland.
“Frederick E. Patterson, John Paca Dallam, war-
dens.
“Dr. Jacob A. Preston, John Sidney Hall, William
Fitzhugh Turner, John Jay, Aquila D. Keen, Andrew
Hall, William Alfred Patterson and John Cowan , ves-
trymen.
“S. W. Crampton and George Wm. Hall, building
committee.
“Nielson & Nielson, architects.
“Aquila D. Keen, contractor.
“ Robert R. Vandiver and John War earn, sub-con-
tractors for mason work.
1 58 HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
“T W. & E. Moulton , sub-contractors for carpenters’
work.
“Deposite: The Holy Bible; the Book of Common
Prayer; Journal of the Protestant Episcopal Church
for 1851 ; Journal of the Protestant Episcopal Church
in the Diocese of Maryland, for 1851 ; Church Almanac
for 1851; Episcopal Recorder; Churchman, Protestant
Churchman; Banner of the Cross; Church Advertiser
(ecclesiastical) ; Baltimore Clipper; American; Sun;
the Harford Republican; sundry coin; a copy of an
office for laying the corner-stone of a church or chapel,
as used in the diocese of Maryland. Laus Deo!”
In the year 1718 the vestry were Roger Mathews,
John Clark, Joseph Johnson and Gregory Farmer.
In 1722 the vestry were John Hall, John Stokes,
Garrett Garrettson and Gregory Farmer.
In 1724 the vestry were John Hall, Esq., John
Stokes, Jarvis Gilbert, Archibald Buchanan, Aquila
Hall and John Durbin.
In 1725 the vestry were Aquila Hall, Jarvis Gilbert,
Archibald Buchanan and John Gallion.
In 1726 the vestry were Aquila Hall, Archibald
Buchanan, Bennet Garret, Roger Mathews, John Clark
and Samuel Howell.
In 1727 the vestry were Archibald Buchanan, Ben-
net Garrett, John Gallion, Roger Mathews, John Clark
and Samuel Howell.
In 1744 the vestry were Col. Thomas White, Capt.
Peregrine Frisby, Winston Smith, Col. John Hall,
James Preston and Capt. James Phillips.
In 1749 the vestry were Parker Hall, James Osborn,
John Paca, Jr., John Loney, James Garrettson, Wil-
liam Dallam and Pollard Keen.
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY. 1 59
In 1769 the vestry were Richard Dallam, Aquila
Hall, Francis Holland, Benedict Edward Hall, Jere-
miah Sheredine and Richard Wilmott.
In 1770 the vestry were Amos Garrett, William
Husbands, Aquila Hall, Benedict E. Hall, Francis
Holland and Richard Dallam.
In 1772 the vestry were Aquila Hall, Benedict Ed-
ward Hall, Francis Holland, William Husbands, Col.
Alexander Rigdon, Richard Dallam and William
Fisher.
In 1783 the vestry were George Patterson, William
Smith, Samuel Griffith, Col. Josias C. Hall.
In 1787 the vestry were Samuel Hughes, Benedict
Edward Hall, James Hall, William Smith, Samuel
Griffith, Greenberry Dorsey and William Hall.
In 1796 the vestry were John Carlisle, William P.
Patterson, Isaac Parryman, John Jolley, Samuel Grif-
fith, Roger Boice, Benedict Edward Hall, Roger
Mathews and James Chauncey.
In 1815 the vestry were Edward Hall, Walter T. L.
Hall, John Crane, Jacob W. Giles, Samuel Hughes,
Abraham Garrett, William B. Stokes and Paca Smith.
In 1820 the vestry were Col. Jacob Michael, Walter
T. Hall, Isaac Parryman, John Chauncey, Benedict
Hall, Major Hall, Edward Hall and George Hen-
derson.
In 1823 the vestry were Col. Jacob Michael, Walter
T. Hall, Jacob W. Giles, Edward Griffith, Richard
Mitchel, John Chauncey, William Fulford and Major
Henry Hall.
In 1829 the vestry were Col. Jacob Michael, Dr.
Jacob A. Preston, John C. C. Hall, Edward Griffith,
l60 HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
John Chauncey, Walter T. L. Hall, George H. Perry-
man and Richard Mitchell.
In 1834 the vestry were Col. Jacob Michael, Walter
T. Hall, Dr. J. A. Preston, Garret V. Nelson, John S.
Hall, Samuel S. Smith, Edward Griffith and Nath. M.
Barren.
In 1841 the vestry were John Cowan, Sylvester
Mitchel, John Budd, Bennet Nelson, Thomas Knight,
William C. Polk, Col. Jacob Michael and Samuel
Sutton.
In 1845 vestry were Edward Griffith, William
A. Patterson, Dr. J. A. Preston, William F. Turner,
John Cowan, John S. Hall, John C. C. Hall and An-
drew Hall.
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN HARFORD
COUNTY.
Very early in the opening of the eighteenth century
members of the Catholic Church began to take up
lands and settle about Deer Creek and its tributaries,
from the Susquehanna river in the east to the neigh-
borhood of Cooptown in the west.
Of the first names that are in evidence of this im-
migration, these are some of the more prominent:
Wheeler, Clarke, Shea, McElroy, Foy, and at a period
somewhat later, Flanagan, Cretin, Doran, McBride,
Quinlan, Mattingly, Jenkins, Green, Cooper, Coskery,
Cain, Bussey, Boarman, Macatee, etc., etc.
There appear to have been a more or less compact
settlement made in the vicinity of Priestford ; for here,
at least as far as is known, the first church land was
purchased.
In the year 1747 Rev. Bennet Neale, S. J., came to
reside at Deer Creek. He was the grandson of the
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY. l6l
noted Capt. James Neale, and the granduncle of Arch-
bishop Leonard Neale. Whether there were other
priests residing in this region before the coming of
Father Neale is not certainly known, nor have been
handed down the names of any of the fathers who,
without doubt, attended the faithful living in this
region at regular intervals prior to Father Neale’s resi-
dence in the parish. The Jesuits had established an
adjacent mission in Cecil county as early as 1704, and
it is highly probable that Deer Creek was attended
from this mission, which was known as Bohemia, being
situated on Bohemia Creek. Certain it is that Father
Neale was stationed at Bohemia, and thence came to
make his home in this county. Some years after his
arrival, that is, in 1750, he purchased of Mr. Henry
Beach a narrow strip of land, “together with all the
houses, gardens, fences and profits belonging or in
any way appertaining thereto.” This plot of ground
contained but eighteen acres of land, which lay bor-
dering the creek on the south side, and here one is
naturally inclined to conjecture stood the missionary’s
home, which, in public document of the year 1756, was
alluded to as “Priest Neale’s Mass House,” and which
also gave occasion to the fording being called Priest’s
Ford.
In 1764 Mr. Thomas Shea, who had been a resident
of Priest’s Ford for fifty years, deeded to Father Neale
one of his farms, which adjoined the small tract of
eighteen acres just mentioned. This farm, which is
still known by the name of Paradise, is now the home
of Mr. R. Harris Archer, and his residence is the old
chapel house which came into use for divine service
some time about 1764. It is a singular structure,
1 62 HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
crowning a small mount on the borders of the creek,
but one story high, with thick stone walls, and having
almost the appearance of an old block house used for
defence against the Indians. It has been generally sup-
posed to have been erected by Mr. Shea prior to his
donation, but this is by no means an assured fact, for
an old document, quite respectable for its authority,
mentions Father Neale as the builder. It is, perhaps,
not unlikely that Mr. Shea had already erected a dwell-
ing, and that Father Neale made some extensive alter-
ations when he took possession of the same.
This chapel was under the title and patronage of St.
Joseph, foster father of the World’s Redeemer. The
central part of the building, running like a long and
wide hallway through the house, was alone used for
church purposes. The other rooms were the private
apartments of the priest. This was conformable to the
laws of the province, which prohibited Catholics from
having public places of worship, but tolerated these
domiciliary oratories or chapels.
Father Neale and his successors for many years
after him were of very little, if, indeed, any charge to
their flock, but drew their main support from the prod-
uce of their farm. Besides the eighteen acres of land
purchased in 1750 and the one hundred and fifteen
acres given by Mr. Shea in 1764, there was added in
1786 another tract of land containing three hundred
and sixty-nine acres. This purchase was made not by
the congregation, but by the agent of a corporation of
the Catholic clergymen, and the land, although lying
on the other side of the creek, was in very close prox-
imity to the other two smaller tracts.
The little mission of Deer Creek continued under the
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY. 1 63
care of Reverend Bennet Neale until about 1770, when
this devoted pastor was succeeded in his office by Rev.
Ignatius Matthews, who was likewise a Jesuit. This
reverend father resided at Priestford until the sum-
mer of 1779, but he was absent from the mission,
apparently, during parts of the years 1775 and 1776,
when his place was supplied by Rev. Bernard Did-
erick.
About the middle of the year 1779 Rev. Charles
Sewall was appointed to replace Father Matthews. It
was Father Sewall who, in September, 1779, bought
of Mr. Martin Preston a plot of ground containing
about two acres of land. The purchase was made at
a nominal figure, and the land was practically a gift.
On these grounds was begun the building of a new
chapel, which was not, however, completed for several
years later. Not, indeed, until some time about Sep-
tember, 1792. This building was considerably enlarged
in 1848, and is now the venerable structure standing at
the junction of the Hickory and Forest Hill roads, and
known as St. Ignatius Church.
Father Sewall’s stay in Harford county was limited
to perhaps a little more than a year and a half. Shortly
after leaving St. Joseph’s, Deer Creek, he took charge
of the Catholics in Baltimore Town, and became their
first resident pastor.
His successor here was Rev. Sylvester Boarman,
during whose pastorate St. Ignatius was built. Tradi-
tion says it was five years building, and the time may
have been considerably longer by reason of a lack of
funds, for times were at their worst financially. Tradi-
tion also will have it, at least in some quarters, that
most of the expense of construction was borne by one
164 HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
particular family; but this is now known to be an
exaggeration, if not, indeed, an undoubted error.
St. Ignatius was at first nothing more than a mission
chapel. Father Boarman and his quasi-assistant, Rev.
Charles Leander Lusson, continued to make their home
at Priestford, and so likewise did their successors for
many years. The precise time of Father Boarman’s
departure from this mission is not known, but it was
presumbly in or close to the year 1799.
Rev. William Pasquet, who succeeded him, was in
charge four years, and thereafter resided at Bohemia,
in Cecil county, where he appears to have paid only
occasional visits to his old parishioners in his official
capacity.
Reverend Doctor Cornelius Mahoney, the next in-
cumbent, died within a short time after his appoint-
ment, and Father Pasquet’s services were again
required for the adjoining county.
About the beginning of the year 1807 Rev. Joseph
Eden came and took up his residence at Priestford,
where he was in charge until his death, which occurred
in December, 1813. The following year the piece of
property donated by Mr. Thomas Shea, and on which
the old chapel-house stood, was sold, and St. Ignatius
became the sole place of worship.
In 1815 Rev. Roger Smith was appointed to St.
Ignatius. There was at that time no parochial resi-
dence for the pastor, the former one having been sold
the previous year, as just stated. This was a serious
inconvenience for Father Smith, as he was obliged to
reside at St. Mary’s Seminary, in Baltimore, whence
for nearly two years he attended his distant charge.
In the spring, however, of 1817, he came to live near
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY. 165
St. Ignatius, and made his home with his brother, Mr.
Samuel Smith, a resident of the county, and who dwelt
on his farm, located but a short distance from the
chapel. Here Father Smith resided for the remainder
of his term, which lasted until 1820, at which time
he was called to Baltimore, and some years after was
appointed rector of the Cathedral.
Rev. Timothy O’Brien, Father Smith’s successor,
was pastor of St. Ignatius for twelve years. He built
in 1822 the small pastoral residence which adjoins the
church, and was thus the first priest to reside on the
present premises.
The following is a list of the priests of St. Ignatius
since Father O’Brien :
Rev. Francis T. Todrig, until 1832.
Rev. Dr. Henry B. Coskery, until 1834.
Rev. James Reid, until 1845.
Rev. Thomas O’Neil, until 1851, who enlarged St.
Ignatius and built St. Patrick’s, Havre de Grace.
Rev. Joseph McNally, until 1854.
Rev. Jacob A. Walter, until 1858. During his pas-
torate St. Mary’s, Deer Creek, was built.
Rev. John Gloyd, until 1858.
Rev. James McDevitt, until 1863.
Rev. Henry Hoffman, until 1865.
Rev. D. DeWulf, until 1865.
Rev. Patrick Francis O’Connor, until 1873, under
whose direction the present belfry and parsonage were
built. He also built St. Francis Church, Abingdon.
Rev. Jos. A. Gallen, until 1878.
Rev. Francis M. Fowler, until 1898.
Rev. J. Alphonse Frederick.
1 66
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
BETHEL.
Rev. Andrew B. Cross, for many years pastor at
Bethel, in his history of the church, refers to it in the
early days as in the wilderness of Upper Node Forest,
Baltimore county. This district has been called by
him “the Cradle of Presbyterianism” in the United
States. In the seventeenth century great numbers of
Presbyterians began to settle in Pennsylvania, Dela-
ware and Maryland, New Castle, Del., being a favorite
landing place. Rev. Francis Makennie, who has been
called the pioneer and father of Presbyterianism in
this country, was here in 1684. Among the other early
preachers of this faith in the new land of the West
were McNish and Hampton, in 1703 ; Davis and Wil-
son, in 1692; Jedediah Andrews and Hugh Conn, in
1698. In the year 1729 the tribe of Indians called the
Susquehannocks occupied the country from the long
crooked river bearing their name, out through Harford
and York counties and along Deer Creek. It is said
they had a fort on the river at Bald Friar, or Maiden's
Mount, near Bald Friar Ferry. A tribe called the
Mingoes also occupied the northern section of what is
now Harford, and prior to 1763 this tribe had three
settlements on Deer Creek. One of these settlements
was on the west side of the stream about half a mile
above the Rocks ; another was a village almost exactly
on the spot where Anderson's or Stansbury’s mill now
stands. The name of this village was Mingo Push,
called after a chief of the tribe who lived there. On
December 14, 1763, at Conestoga, Pennsylvania, oc-
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY. 167
curred the dreadful massacre of the Mingoes, which
caused the remainder of that tribe to leave this section
of the country.
The Mason and Dixon line was commenced in 1764,
and in its construction the surveyors were stopped
December 26, 1767, by the order of the Six Nations,
244 miles west from Delaware, and within thirty-six
miles of the western terminus.
In 1729, John and James Hendries made the first
authorized settlement in York county, in the neigh-
borhood of New Freedom and Shrewsbury. “Bethel
Church attendants then were over the line, out of
whom was gathered the nucleus of Centre Church.
Penn induced many to settle in Delaware, which was
then included in his claim, who afterwards moved
onward from Delaware, where they landed, into Kent
and Cecil counties, coming down by Bohemia river,
around by the head of the bay, by Charleston, over
the Lower Ferry, now Havre de Grace. Others from
Kent came across the bay to Swan Creek, which was
then a very prominent landing, where tobacco was
brought down the rolling road, past Hall’s Cross
Roads, now Aberdeen.”
Tradition says that the line of travel was from Kent
to Swan Creek, then up the country. Some took the
road west, from where old Spesutia Church stood,
which road led past Michaelsville, thence to Baltimore,
on the east side of Bush river, to the ferry called Ferry
Bar. From that point, when the settler continued his
journey, his route was across the ferry, thence to Joppa
and up and along what was called Long Cam, or
Ridgely’s Ford. Near that road is Franklinville Pres-
byterian Church. The Baltimore county records for
l68 HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
the year 1740 state that three sons of Obadiah Pritch-
ard divided their land, of which part was on the roll-
ing road, from Swan Creek through Hall’s Plains, near
which is the Grove Presbyterian Church at Aberdeen.
Richard Pritchard’s name is found subscribed to the
call at Bethel in 1769. William, son of Obadiah, was
one of the elders at Churchville. There was a large
Presbyterian settlement at Swan Creek connected with
the Deer Creek Church (Churchville). Rev. William
Finney, in his historical sermon on the Deer Creek
Church, says of Michael Gilbert and wife : “They lived
to be more than four score, one dying in 1823, the other
in 1827. Among the many incidents was one about
one hundred and ten years ago, when he and four or
five young men purchased a boat and locked it to a
tree opposite to what is now Port Deposit. On Sab-
bath morning they would walk four to five miles,
from Swan Creek neighborhood, unfasten the boat, go
over the river and walk five miles to West Notting-
ham Church, and return home in the evening.” Church-
ville and Bethel are closely connected in their history,
and we find the same pastor frequently attending to the
spiritual needs of both congregations.
It was a custom of the Indians in the autumn to set
fire to and burn the barrens of York and Baltimore
counties, and tradition says this smoke was the origin
of the name of Indian summer for that season. Besides
this burning, the red men were in the habit of commit-
ting depredations of various kinds, and in the early
days the settlers had to be on the constant watch. Tra-
dition charges the Indians with the murder of a ten-
year-old boy in the nighborhood of Bethel. The paths
of the Indians in their travels were well defined, and
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY. 1 69
these in time developed into the roads used by the set-
tlers. First footpaths, then bridle-paths, and in time
developing into rolling roads and the public highway.
As early as 1706 the settlers brought tobacco from the
upper sections of this county in hogsheads with false
heads, shafts attached, rolling them from sections as far
away as My Lady’s Manor. From all that country they
were in the habit of coming for fish to the Lower Ferry,
Bush and Joppa, the two last named places being ports
of entry.
The early religious meetings were held in private
houses, and some hardy and adventurous spirit in his
zeal for the cause of the Master, penetrating this wild
country, would preach to the pioneers the Gospel of
“peace on earth, good will towards men.” The records
of the early times are wanting. No one knows who
was the first Presbyterian that came into the Upper
Node Forest. The name Bethel means the House of
God, and in the hundred and fifty years of this church
it has been performing the service to which it was
dedicated by its founders, and has without intermis-
sion been a house in which were taught the beauties of
the Christian faith. Generations have come and gone ;
grandchildren of the first builders sleep in the beautiful
cemetery there, and great-grandchildren lie beside
them, while the bell in the lofty steeple on each Sunday
morning calls their grandchildren’s great-grandchil-
dren to the service of their Maker. The church build-
ing has been changed from a plain square house into
a structure of architectural beauty ; but the church has
remained from its first foundation ever faithful to its
name as the House of God.
At its altar have been joined in marriage the pro-
170 HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
genitors of the present congregation ; to the font
their children during all that time have been brought
to be baptized; and from the church door, after the
last sad rites had been performed, the dead have been
carried to “their narrow cell” to be forever laid.
Could the congregation of the early days come back,
what a change they would see ! The woods have given
way to beautiful cultivated fields; comfortable homes
are seen on every hand, where at first only a log house
stood in the clearing ; and at the Sunday morning serv-
ice in the place of the hardy resident of the forest, who
came, perhaps, with his rifle as a protection against
the Indians, walking with his wife and daughters
through the wet clearing, come now his prosperous and
well-to-do descendants at the seventh or eighth genera-
tion, conveyed to the church door in comfortable car-
riages, their wives and daughters in tasteful attire, but
there, as were their fathers of old, to join in the church
service and say: “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,
for He hath visited and redeemed His people.”
When the first house was built no one can tell, but
we know that the present building is the third church,
and that the second was built in 1802, and was a log
building standing in the centre of the graveyard, the
door to which faced the tombstone of Mr. Thomas
Hope, and the pulpit, where is now the tomb of Rev.
George Lucky. This settlement was among remnants
of the Indians, against whom the pioneers had erected
a fort for defense and protection.
“That this must have been a large and most im-
portant settlement, will appear by a reference to the
list of ninety-one subscribers to the call of Mr. Clark
and a subscription of eighty-five pounds in 1769, when
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY. 171
a united call of Slateridge and Chanceford, in 1781,
twelve years later, was only sixty pounds in grain.
“In the center of the graveyard is a stone bearing
the inscription : ‘John Henry, died January, 1810, aged
thirty-three years/ No one knows anything of him
but this: he was a lonely stranger who died on the
York turnpike, where he was engaged helping in its
construction. His dying request was that ‘he might be
taken over and buried in a Presbyterian graveyard;
that his bones might lie with the people of his faith, in
hope to rise with them at the Resurrection/ ” Thomas
Hope, William Glenn, Sr., John Sterrett and George
West were early elders. There are now four Presby-
terian churches almost on the banks of Deer Creek.
They are Centre, near Norrisville ; Bethel, Churchville
and Harmony.
In the year 1769, Rev. John Clark was called as pas-
tor to Bethel. The language of the call shows that
they were not in the habit of having a regular or set-
tled pastor.
Call for Rev. John Clark.
Bethel Congregation , in Upper Node Forest, Balti-
timore County,
December, 27, 1769.
For supporting the Gospel, by a settled minister, who
shall be a member, in full communion with the Synod
of Philadelphia and New York :
We, the subscribers, do promise unto the Rev. John
Clark, by annual payments, the particular sums set
to our names, provided that the said Mr. Clark shall
be our settled minister in congregation aforesaid, and
172 HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
that said payment shall continue to be annually paid
by us, our heirs, executors, administrators, so long as
we shall profess ourselves members of said congrega-
tion; and in case that it should happen that we shall
be disappointed in obtaining the aforesaid Mr. Clark,
as our settled minister in said congregation, we do
hereby unanimously consent and agree that this sub-
scription shall be for the benefit of the first minister of
the Gospel who shall be settled among us, provided he
be a minister of the synod aforesaid ; and also provided
he shall be settled among us, by the unanimous consent
of two-thirds of our congregation. In witness we have
hereunto set our hands :
£ s.
1. Cornelius McDonald 2 5
2. John Dale 1 10
3. William Nelson 2 10
4. Robert Kirkwood 1
5. Alexander Fron 1 10
6. William Beatty 1
7. Samuel Patterson 1
8. William Johnson 1 10
9. James Finley 1 10
10. Samuel Jackson 1 10
11. William Plunkett 1
12. Adam McClung 15
13. John Querns 10
14. Andrew Makemson 1
15. Adam McGaw 1 10
16. James Madden 15
17. Thos. Hope 1
18. Robert Black 1
19. Hugh Alison 2
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY. 1 73
£ s. d.
20. John Vance i
21. Hugh Niven 15
22. Richard Pritchard 1
23. Philip Madden 10
24. Alex. Alison 1
25. James Orr 15
26. David Johnson 1
27. John Wilson 15
28. Robert Gillies 15
29. Henry Woods 15
30. Charles Richardson 15
31. Thomas McCune 1 10
32. Arthur McCoard 15
33. James Skiventon 7
34. Archibald McDermot 10
35. John Black 10
36. Hugh Reed 1 10
37. James Curry 15
38. Daniel Henderson 1 10
39. James Donel 15
40. Richard Green 15
41. George Blaqk 15
42. Hugh Bankhead 1 5
43. James Bankhead 12 6
44. John Shaw 10
45. Thos. Kennedy 7 6
46. Richard Hope 15
47. John Thecker 7 6
48. James Crichton 7 6
49. John Campbell 1
50. David Bell 1 10
51. David Brown 1 10
174 HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
£ S. d.
52. James Vogan 1 12
53. John Anderson 10
54. James Adere 15
55. Wm. Sturgeon 10
56. Robert Bell 10
57. Margaret Akin 10
58. John Graham 10
59. John Logogn 10
60. Alexander Ramsey 10
61. John McCaskey 7 6
62. James Reed 15
63. John Walker 10
64. Solomon Brown 1
65. John McClure 1
66. James Hope 2 2
67. John Tate 5
68. Isaac Bush 5
69. Robert Glenn 1
70. Francis Miller 2 16
71. Isabel McGonigal 2 6
72. James Guthridge 18 6
73. Henry Neil 15
74. James McBoise 15
75. James Wilson 10
76. Andrew Tate 10
77. James Clendenin 1 10
78. Robert Smith 10
79. Margaret Brierly 5
80. Joseph Finley 1 10
81. Thomas Turner. 1 10
82. David Armstrong 10
83. James White * 1 10
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
175
£ s.
84. William Campbell 1 10
85. John Smith..... 17
86. Hugh Bay
87. John Bell
88. James Carlin
89. William Coulson
90. John Given
91. Thomas McGetegen
PASTORS AT BETHEL.
Before Rev. John Clark, who in 1769 became Pastor,
there is no record of the names of supplies, there being
only such as were sent out by the New Castle and
Donegal Presbyteries among settlements, but they sel-
dom mention the name of the supply.
George Luckey 1784, 1825
Supplies 1825
George Morrison, Sr 1825, 1837
Andrew B. Cross 1837, 1845
Dr. Stephen Yerkes 1845, October 12, 1852
Supplies
Dr. John P. Carter Nov. 10, 1853, Dec. 31, 1856
Thos. S. C. Smith. Oct. 22, 1857, Oct. 4, 1864
Benjamin F. Myers Dec., 1865, April 12, 1871
Supplies
George Morrison, Jr June 3, 1873, 1876
Supplies
Joseph Nelson June 3, 1877, July 27, 1884
W. C. Stull 1886*
*Rev. Andrew B. Cross.
CHAPTER XV.
OLD CHURCHES — Continued.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH AT CHURCHVILLE — COKESBURY METHODIST
COLLEGE AND CHURCH — HARFORD BAPTIST CHURCH — THE
FRIENDS IN HARFORD.
CHURCHVILLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
Rev. William Finney, for many years pastor at
Churchville, preached an historical sermon in 1854, in
which he reviewed the history of this church. The
knowledge of the time of its beginning is largely de-
pendent upon tradition, and Mr. Finney gives as the
authority for the date of its origin as fixed by him,
Michael Gilbert, one of the oldest members of the con-
gregation.
According to Mr. Gilbert, this church reached
back to about the year 1838, and the establishment of
the church is due to the labors of the great evangelist,
Whitefield. Its first name was Whitefield’s Meeting
House, and afterwards as the Deer Creek Presbyterian
Congregation. Whitefield came from England, and
by his eloquence and zeal created a revival in religion
along his entire route. The congregation was at first
supplied with ministers from the Donegal Presbytery.
Among the early supply preachers were Rev. John
Craig and Revs. Thompson and Paul. At this early
date conditions in this section were very primitive. The
forest had not been cleared away, and dwellings, even
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY. 1 77
the rude homes of the hardy pioneers, were few and
far between. Where are now the beautiful pasture
fields, extending from Churchville through the Dar-
lington country to the Susquehanna, in 1738 were for
the most part the original wilds, through which roamed
the native Indian, but little advanced in civilization by
his contact with the whites. Accordingly, religious
services were infrequently held, and then for the most
part by some young zealot who came here with the
same feeling that the modern missionary carries with
him to Thibet.
While there was religious toleration in the colony
of the Lords Baltimore, yet the most popular faith was
Catholic, the chief rival of which was the Church of
England. Presbyterianism, therefore, at first had to
contest with these two strongly entrenched denomina-
tions, and its first churches were not strong. Bethel
and Churchville mustered in time large followings, but
their beginnings are lost in obscurity. The following
is from Whitefield’s journal, which shows the great
number of people that listened to his preachings :
“Leaving Philadelphia November 29, 1839, visited
and preached at Chester that same day to five thousand
people. Wilmington next day and Newcastle Decem-
ber 1 to two thousand people, and Christian Bridge at
4 P. M. to about the same number. Whitely Creek,
December 2, to ten thousand people, and December 3
to North East. Little notice having been given, there
were not above fifteen hundred people, but God was
with me and I observed many deeply affected. Sev-
eral repeated invitations were sent me to preach at
other places. Immediately after the sermon we set
forward and passed over Susquehannah ferry, about a
178 HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
mile broad. I was received at a gentleman’s house that
lay in the way. Though we were eight in company,
yet all things were carried on with great freedom and
generosity, and I hope we came providentially thither,
for the gentleman told us that he had been a little mel-
ancholy and had therefore sent for some friends to
drive it away. The bottle and the bowl, I found, were
the means to be made use of, but blessed be God, the
design was in good measure frustrated by our coming
in and giving another turn to the conversation. All
joined in family prayer. Afterward I went to bed,
pitying the miserable condition of those who live a life
of luxury and all self-indulgence. They are afraid to
look into themselves, and if their consciences at any
time awakened they might be lulled asleep again by
drinking or evil company. None but a sincere Chris-
tian can with sincere pleasure practice the duty of self-
examination.”
Whitefield preached at Churchville and next at
Joppa, where he made a short address in the Episcopal
Church.
At the meeting at Churchville he spoke in a tent, and
tradition preserves the name of Tent Field on the farm
of Mr. W. Beatty Harlan.
We do not know the name of Whitefield’s host, with
whose plan for the evening’s entertainment the great
preacher interfered. The population in those days was
widely scattered, so the fame of Whitefield must have
been great and far reaching to have drawn such crowds
— his journal in some places recording ten thousand
people as present to hear him preach.
Conditions in those days were very primitive. Trav-
eling was done on foot or horseback. It is said of Rev.
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY. 1 79
William Finney, who became pastor in 1813, that when
he purchased his first carriage such a vehicle was so
uncommon that the first day he drove to church he tied
his horse far away “lest he might be thought proud by
his parishioners who had come on foot or on horses, or
perhaps in ox carts.” The new idea was too conspicu-
ous for his native modesty. The railroad was un-
known and even the canal had not been born. Towns
were few and far between. In 1760 Baltimore Town
had only thirty or forty houses. The fireside was the
communicating medium of all news. Houses were
what we now call “old style,” which in this case is gen-
erally the synonym of inconvenient arrangement and
limited room. Indoors the greased rag was the com-
mon luminary auxiliary to the great cordwood fire on
the hearth. The whale-oil lamp was the luxury of the
rich. Tallow dip candles were esteemed a welcome
invention. Doubtless these ancient people complied
more readily than we with the sober maxim, “early to
bed, early to rise.”
The original church was located on the farm belong-
ing now to the heirs of the late Wellmore Hopkins,
where the old graveyard can still be seen. This church
was in the usual style of the times. It was built of logs
neither attractive in appearance nor comfortable.
It was not heated ; and indeed this absence of
fire in churches was the custom of the times. Old
people now living can remember when it was the habit
to take warm bricks to church in winter to keep the
feet warm during the sermon of two hours, which was
a not uncommon catastrophe in those days. This log
church gave way to a brick one, on or near the present
l80 HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
site, about the year 1769. This building also was with-
out stoves, but in 1814 chimneys were put in and the
church warmed. In 1820 a building committee, con-
sisting of Jeremiah Bayless, James Glasgow, Reuben
H. Davis, Benj. Silver and James Pannel, were ap-
pointed, and a new church was constructed. This is
the present church building, which, however, in the
year 1870, underwent extensive repairs at a cost of
nearly ten thousand dollars, the building being reno-
vated throughout.
The following is a list of the regular pastors who
have served this church : Andrew Bay, Caleb Johnson,
William Finney, R. H. Williams, W. W. Ralston, John
R. Paxton, W. T. L. Kieffer, Calvin D. Wilson, S. C.
Wasson.
William Finney was elected pastor March 31, 1813.
The call which was formally made out, and in behalf
of the congregation signed by Richard Barns, James
Fulton, Andrew McAdow and Zephaniah Bayless, was
presented to the Presbytery of New Castle at New
London, Pa., April 6, 1813. He held the call under
advisement until the ensuing fall session (September
23) in order to see whether there was a sufficient frag-
ment of this lacerated congregation to justify him in
assuming the pastorate. He then accepted the call,
and was ordained and installed November 17, 1813,
preaching a sermon on that occasion from Acts 4 : 12.
Rev. William Finney was a native of New London,
Chester county, Pa., and was the second son of Judge
Walter Finney, a major in the Revolutionary Army,
whose commission, dated August 10, 1776, is now in
the possession of his great-grandson, Walter Finney,
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY. l8l
of Churchville, Md. He graduated at Princeton Col-
lege with distinction, in the class of 1809; studied the-
ology under Rev. Samuel Martin, D. D., of Chance-
ford, Pa., joined New Castle Presbytery as a candidate
for the ministry April 4, 1810, and was licensed to
preach October 1, 1812, at the age of twenty-four.
His long pastorate of forty-one years closed October
4, 1854, when he resigned, much to the regret of his
people. His farewell sermon was an historical dis-
course, which is of great value to this church. The
people attested their affection for him by requesting
him to supply their pulpit, which he did off and on
for several years.
Following is a list of some of the elders who have
been connected with this church :
b. born. d. died.
1. Michael Gilbert, b. about 1707; d. 1796.
2. Robert Rhea, who is the first elder from this
church reported at Presbytery.
3. James Gallion.
4. William Pritchett.
5. John Hawkins, b. about 1716; d. 1783.
6. John McAdow, d. 1802.
7. Joseph Stiles, d. December 1790.
8. John Hays, a bachelor brother of Archer Hays,
d. 1802.
9. Thomas Archer, father of Dr. John Archer, Sr.
10. Henry Ruff, d. 1795.
11. Benjamin Bayless, son of Samuel, Sr., and brother
of Samuel, Jr.
12. Daniel Kenly, grandfather of Geo. W. Kenly, d.
1796.
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
182
13. William Ramsay, father of Thos. Ramsay, b. 1725,
came from New Jersey; d. 1800.
14. William Hollis, d. 1786.
15. Samuel Bayless, of Samuel, Sr., b. about 1735.
16. Andrew McAdow, son of John, d. June 28, 1844.
17. James Fulton, son of Capt. William, from Scot-
land, and father of John C., William and James,
Jr., d. October 31, 1825, aged 62 years.
18. Richard Barns, b. June 25, 1762 ; d. November 29,
1830.
19. Zephaniah Bayless, ordained in 1808, d. May 5,
1851.
20. James Glasgow, M. D., ordained November 23,
1822, d. August 19, 1823.
21. Alexander Hanna, father of John, William, Robert
and Balch, d. December 27, 1829.
22. James Pannel, ordained June 19, 1824, resigned
June 22, 1853.
23. John Kirk, ordained April 4, 1829, d. January 5,
1831.
24. Robert H. Archer, M. D., ordained June 11, 1826.
25. John C. Fulton of James, ordained October 18,
1834.
26. John Barnes of Gregory, ordained September 30,
1859.
27. Thomas Archer of Dr. Robert, ordained September
3°> 1859.
28. James M. Anderson of John, ordained October 17,
1863.
29. John A. Hanna, ordained October 17, 1863.
30. R. Harris Archer of Thomas, June 18, 1870.
31. Jas. H. Ball, New Jersey.*
♦Rev. W. T. L. Kieffer.
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
183
COKESBURY.
The first Methodist college in the world for higher
education was located at Abingdon, in the present First
district of Harford county. The foundation of the
college is due to Thomas Coke and Francis Asbury,
two bishops of the Methodist church. The school was
called from the names of the two founders — Coke-
Asbury modified into Cokesbury.
The establishment of this institution of learning was
at a time when the new government was trying its
wings. The Revolution had just closed and all the
unsettled conditions which accompany a change of gov-
ernment after a successful rebellion prevailed here.
Money was scarce, but Asbury was equal to the emer-
gency. Coke was the author of the idea, but to Asbury
was largely due the successful establishment of the col-
lege. This school seems to have been in his thoughts
always, and he devoted many of the best years of his
life to this work. For its financial success he traveled
many weary miles through the wilderness, preaching
and soliciting subscriptions, and when the building was
consumed to ashes and all his work proved in vain, the
poor man was almost overwhelmed. He wrote in his
journal “We have a second and confirmed report that
Cokesbury College is consumed to ashes, a sacrifice of
ten thousand pounds in about ten years. If any man
should give me ten thousand pounds to do and suffer
again what I have done for that house, I would not do
it. The Lord called not Mr. Whitefield nor the Metho-
dists to build colleges. I wished only for schools ; Dr.
Coke wanted a college.”
There were only fifteen thousand Methodists in
184 HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
America at this time, and with this small number the
building and opening of this school was remarkable.
Dr. Thomas Coke was sent by John Wesley to America
from England to superintend the churches. He and
Asbury met at Barrett’s Chapel, Dover, and the ques-
tion of founding a school for higher learning under
control of the Methodist Church was discussed. One
thousand pounds sterling was subscribed before the
conference met, enough to begin work, and then came
the matter of the selection of a site. In those days the
post road passing through Abingdon was the main
highway between the North and the South, and as steam
had not come into use, the traveling population were
very familiar with that route. Harford Town, or Bush,
was going down. Bel Air had been chosen the county
seat. The Pacas had started a new town on the hill —
Abingdon — and had laid it off into streets and lots, a
plat of which can now be seen in the clerk's office at Bel
Air. Richard Dallam, one of the leading men of the
county, and quartermaster in the American Army, lived
there with his family. William Paca, who was born
there and who had signed the Declaration of Independ-
ence, was then governor of the State, and the new town
laid out by his people may be reasonably supposed to
have had the good will of the distinguished governor
and his wealthy friends. Moreover, the location was
high and healthy. From the high ground could be
seen Bush river stretching its winding course, with
“promontory, creek and bay.” Old Baltimore, it is
true, had been abandoned for nearly an hundred years,
but the beautiful shore line was there, the view not ob-
structed as now by the railroad bridge, which was not
built until fifty years later.
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY. 1 85
Off in the distance, further down the river, lay Abbey
Island Point and Legoes’ Point in full view ; and a lit-
tle further away, glistening in the sun, lay the broad
waters of the Chesapeake, across which could be seen
the high banks of Kent county. Close by was Otter
creek, like a silver thread just over the hill ; and Otter
Point, with deep water, where large vessels could come
to load and discharge their cargos, was only a mile
away. There was a new Methodist church which had
been built in 1784. Truly, the outlook for Abingdon to
become a large town was excellent, and here they de-
cided to build the new college. Bishop Asbury was
present on June 5, 1785, to lay the corner-stone and
preach the foundation sermon. On May 30 of the same
year, Dr. Coke purchased from Richard Dallam, for
sixty pounds, four acres of land adjoining the new
church, for the site of the college, and on this land was
erected the college hall at a cost of more than four
thousand pounds. This sum represented an average
contribution of more than one dollar for every Metho-
dist church member in the country.
Five trustees managed the business of the school.
The college had a boarding department, but the plan
was to have as many students as possible board in the
village. The college dormitory, therefore, was con-
structed with especial reference to the number and size
of the recitation rooms, and the quarters for the stu-
dents were rather contracted.
The building, of which no representation is known
to be extant, was of brick, one hundred and eight feet
in length and forty feet in width, facing east and west.
It is described as standing on the summit and centre
1 86 HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
of six acres of land, with equal descent and proportion
of ground on each side. It was three stories in height
and divided into two parts. The east and west ends
had on each floor two rooms, in size twenty-five by
twenty feet. On the first floor, in the centre of the
building, was the college hall, forty feet square; over
it, on the second floor, two school rooms, and on the
third floor two bedrooms. Such was the arrangement
of the building which was thought in “dimensions and
style of architecture fully equal, if not superior, to any-
thing of the kind in the country.”
Before the building was entirely completed a pre-
paratory school was opened by Mr. Freeman Marsh, a
Quaker. Dr. Coke said that the college was intended
primarily for the sons of preachers ; next, for the sons
of “our friends thirdly, for “our young men (preach-
ers),” and, fourthly, “for orphans.”
He felt that the name college might appear too pre-
tentions at first, but took comfort from the fact that
“we give high-sounding names in America.”
John Wesley was applied to for a recommendation
for a president of the college, and he named Rev. Mr.
Meath, who was master of a grammar school at Kid-
derminster, in England; the recommendation of Wes-
ley was favorably received by the trustees, who voted
to call Mr. Meath, and Dr. Coke was requested to com-
municate the call to the proposed president. Mr. Meath
was to receive sixty pounds annually, lodging in the
college, board, washing, etc., for himself and family.
The call was accepted and Mr. Meath, accompanied by
Patrick McCloskey, who also was to teach in the new
school, arrived in this country in the fall of 1787. In
September of the same year Bishop Asbury was at
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY. 1 87
Abingdon, superintending the opening of the college.
Meath’s inauguration occurred in December, lasting
three days, on all three of which Bishop Asbury
preached.
At the beginning there were twenty-five students.
Letters of advice came from Wesley as to the method
of conducting the institution, in one of which he said
he wished the children to be made “critical scholars in
Latin, Greek and Hebrew.” Meath, the president, and
McCloskey and Marsh, assistants, left in the first year.
In 1788, Dr. Jacob Hall, of Abingdon, was elected
president, the fact that he was a native of the State
being a consideration in his election.
There were thirty students in the year 1788. Dr.
Hall’s assistants were Rev. John Hargrove, Rev. Jo-
seph Toy and Charles Tait. Mr. McCloskey came
back and resumed his position as teacher, dying in
1791.
There were seventy students in 1791. It is thought
that no graduation or conferring of degrees was ever
held by the college, as there is no mention of any. The
curriculum included English, Latin, Greek, logic, rhet-
oric, history, geography, natural philosophy and astron-
omy, to which it was proposed later to add Hebrew,
French and German.
In this day of reading-rooms, gymnasiums and care-
fully arranged hours of recreation, with a patronage
of field sports by the faculty in all colleges, it is diffi-
cult to understand the rigid discipline at Cokesbury.
Here is one of the regulations : “Let this rule be ob-
served with the greatest nicety, for those who play
when they are young will play when they are old.” No
games or plays for the boys ! Their employment was
1 88 HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
to be that of the “greatest public utility, agriculture
and architecture.” There was a carpenters’ shop for
recreation. Gardening was another, and they might
bathe in a pool, one at a time, and under no considera-
tion swim in Bush river.
The students were to study seven hours daily, rise
at four o’clock in the morning and go to bed at nine
o’clock.
The college ran into debt, which, in 1789, amounted
to about eight thousand dollars.
In 1794 the Maryland Legislature granted a charter
to Cokesbury, and authorized the conferring of the
usual college degrees. In 1795 the authorities deter-
mined to abandon the collegiate department and main-
tain only an English free school, but before this plan
was fairly tried the life of the school came to an end.
On December 4, 1795, the building was burned to the
ground, and everything connected with it destroyed.
The fire was thought to be of incendiary origin. The
fame of this school was great in its day, and even to
this time bricks are sought and carried away as relics.
The bell which called the students to their duties was
preserved, and now hangs over Goucher Hall at the
Woman’s College, in Baltimore, chief relic of the once
famous college of Cokesbury.*
HARFORD BAPTIST CHURCH.
This church is situated in the forks of Winter’s Run,
between Jarrettsville and Upper X-Roads,in the Fourth
election district of Harford county.
During the space of one hundred and forty-seven
years there have been only six elders, or pastors, of
*Dr. Bernard C. Steiner.
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY. 1 89
this church, and two of these elders served this con-
gregation for nearly an hundred years. Elder John
Davis was the minister in charge from the building of
the church, in 1754, until the time of his death, in 1807,
a period of fifty-three years. Rev. William Grafton,
the present incumbent, began his labors there May 18,
1859, and thus up to this time his continuous service
to the church has extended over a period of forty-two
years, making, with the time of Elder John Davis,
ninety-five years. The elders of this church since 1754,
the date of its organization, have been as follows :
Elder John Davis, 1754 to 1807.
Elder William Wilson, 1807 to 1839.
Elder Eli Scott, Elder James Brown, Elder Francis
Thorn, 1839 to 1859.
Elder William Grafton, 1859 to .
Some of the dates in the records of the church are
missing and it is difficult to determine the time of the
beginning of the service of several of the elders. Be-
sides this, the early minutes are effaced and had to be
supplied by a summary in October, 1803. In 1839,
during the term of Rev. William Wilson, a dispute
arose as to the attitude of the church toward temper-
ance societies and benevolent institutions, and a divi-
sion was made in the congregation. The elder, Wil-
liam Wilson, left his charge, with a number of his con-
gregation, and thereafter officiated and had his church
building at Rock Ridge, or Cherry Hill, which had
been built a short time previously.
The following is a copy of the recital at the begin-
ning of the records and a list of some of the early mem-
bers:
“The church of Jesus Christ in Harford County, In
190
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
the State of Maryland was Constituted on the First
Day of November In the year of our Lord — One thou-
sand seven hundred and fifty-four, then under the pas-
toral care of Elder John Davis, who Still continues to
preside over her, But through some cause to us un-
known the Church book has Become so defaced that the
true state of the said church From time to time since
her constitution up to this Date cannot be known;
“And as the God of Zion hath been Generously
pleased of Late to Revive his work Within the bounds
of this Church so that Considerable Numbers have
been added to those that still Remain of her former
Numbers ; And We deeming it Necessary as well for
our own comfort as for the Information of Others to
revive the articles of her former Constitution . . . .
“Be it known therefore that we whose names are
hereunto subscribed Do as in the presence of God Pro-
fess to believe the truths contained in the following
Covenant and to submit to the Ordinances and modes
of Government therein contained that is to say”
[Here follows covenant.]
October, 1803:
John Watkins,
Elizabeth Watkins,
Philip Garrison,
James Thompson,
John Thompson,
Thomas Durham,
Nathan Durham,
Margaret Durham,
Frances Thompson,
David Durham,
Sarah Durham,
John Denbow,
Martha Denbow,
Drucilla Tolon,
Elizabeth Tolon,
Sarah Dever,
Ruth Dever, now Norris,
John Thompson,
Susanna Thompson,
Benjamin Amos,
Sarah Amos,
Ann Amos, now Alderson,
Dixon Stansbury,
Dixon Stansbury, Jr.,
Easter Stansbury,
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
IQI
Elizabeth Amos,
Charity Hitchcock,
Elizabeth Guiton,
Sarah Cruet,
Wm. Robinson,
Sarah Robinson,
Samuel Grafton,
Mary Grafton,
Wm. Durham,
Jane St. Clair,
Elizabeth Armstrong,
James Perine,
Catherine Baker,
Susanna Norrington,
Mary Norris,
Elizabeth Thompson,
Aquila Grear,
Mary Grear,
Ezekiel Weeks,
Elizabeth Weeks,
Wm. McGovern,
Ann McGovern,
Mary Smithson,
Sarah Wilson,
Susanna Amos,
Elizabeth Davis,
Elizabeth Baker,
Martha St. Clair,
Naomi Guiton,
Jemima Hynes,
Elizabeth Whitaker,
Edward Parrish,
Delia Parrish,
Elizabeth Slade,
Jane Renshaw,
Naomi Amos,
Ann Parker,
John Davis,
Jane Davis,
Mary Carleton,
Thomas Poteet,
Joshua Thompson,
Casandra Thompson,
Clemency Thompson,
Elthiah Brown,
Jesse Bussey,
Eleaner Bussey,
Dina Anderson,
Jane Davis,
Migail Denbow,
Dolly Renshaw,
Rachael Kent, now White-
ford,
Hannah West,
Lattice Jordan,
Mary Husk,
Martha Thompson,
Stephen Rigdon,
Hannah Brice,
Sabrina Wilson,
Ann Hewett,
Christian Jordan,
Isaac Persons,
Phebe Persons,
Josiah Hitchcock,
Thos. D. Cockey,
Wm. Perrigoe,
Hannah Perrigoe,
Ellen Perrigoe,
Sidney Perrigoe,
Rebekah Perrigoe,
Joshua Jones,
Mary Jones,
Wm. Parks,
Chloe Parks,
Elenor Parks,
Benj. Talbott,
Catherine Talbott,
192
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
Rachael Harryman,
Rachael Stevenson,
Ruth Towson,
Philemon Towson,
Joseph Bosswell,
Philip Pindle,
Elizabeth Boswell,
Joseph Sater,
Thos. Cole,
Rachael Cole,
Chloe Cockey,
Clarrissa Burnham,
John Burnham,
Ann Burnham,
Sarah Sobers,
Ruth Owings,
John Burnham, Sr.,
Ann Young,
Discretion Walker,
Mary Steel,
Elexis Lemmon,
Elizabeth Cromwell,
Nathan Cromwell,
Peter Parks,
Wm. Loveall,
Mary Tipton,
Abraham Cole,
John Lemmon,
Ellenor Lemmon,
Joseph Stansbury,
Sarah Stansbury,
Dorcus Ensor,
Thomas Cole,
Mordecai Cole,
Ann Dunawin,
Thomas Dunawin,
Polly Bond,
Thomas Downey,
Hannah Sater,
Thomas Lemmon,
Comfort Lemmon,
Ann Edwards,
Belinda Cox,
Abraham Cole, Jr.,
Margaret Griffith,
Benjamin Green,
James Cole,
Zebediah Cox,
Charlotte Baxter,
Sarah Corbin,
Thomas Beareman,
Sarah Bearemen,
Catherine Bearemen,
Rachael Crow,
Martha Boreing,
Mary Lane,
Rachael Willson,
Margaret Willson,
Elizabeth Willson,
Margaret Thomas,
Thomas Ford,
Ellenor Hutson,
Ruth Inseworth,
Samuel Fort,
Elizabeth Fourt,
Ruth Griffith,
Amon Butler, Jr.,
Ruth Butler,
Amon Butler,
Elizabeth Butler,
Absolem Butler,
Susanna Butler,
Hannah Butler,
Charlotte Bond,
Mary Gill,
Mary Baxter,
Hunt,
Mary Kidd,
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
193
Sarah Kidd,
Sarah Cole,
Ann Jorden,
Patty Jordon,
William Buckingham,
Sarah Buckingham,
Richard Lane,
Elizabeth Lane,
Elizabeth Green,
Thomas Fuder,
Alexander Bosswell,
Vincent Tipton,
Bryan Tipton,
Thomas Kelly,
Sarah Kelly,
Hannah Lemmon,
Jemima Plowman,
Rebecca Cunningham,
Sophia Chenowith,
Wm. Blizzard,
Surany Blizzard,
William Chenoweth,
Sarah Chenoweth,
Nicholas Hedington,
Delia Hedington,
Richard Choate,
Sarah Choate,
John Banks,
Mary Banks,
Joshua Tracey,
Abraham Bareing,
James Bareing,
Elizabeth Bareing,
Edward Choate,
Thomas Gist,
Penelope D. Gist,
Francis T. Talbott,
Nancy Gist,
Sarah Bareing,
John Perigoe,
Matthew Day,
Nelly Sobers,
Polly Bareing,
Patience Lee,
Henry Green,
Elizabeth Green,
Elizabeth Gorsuch,
John Gordon,
Evan Watkins, etc.
THE FRIENDS IN HARFORD.
The first settlement of “Friends’’ in Harford is veiled
in much obscurity, but there are reasons for concluding
that they found their way here shortly after their estab-
lishment in the adjacent colony of Pennsylvania, where
Penn, in his holy experiment, “laid the foundation of
a state with a government, deriving its just powers
from the consent of the governed,” where not only the
persecuted members of his own religious denomination
should find a peaceful home, but the good and oppressed
194 HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
of all lands and every religious persuasion should find
an asylum and the pure and peaceable principles of
Christianity should be carried into practice. The en-
lightened understanding of Lord Baltimore had led him
to adopt sentiments akin to those actuating Penn in his
movements, and thus, no doubt, many of this faith
gladly embraced the opportunity afforded to “worship
according to the dictates of their own conscience with
none to make them afraid.”
Perhaps it may be permitted to draw the line of
divergence between the reasons actuating the proprie-
taries of these neighboring colonies. With high appre-
ciation of the noble minds and enlightened statesman-
ship of the Lords Baltimore, and aside from the spirit
of criticism, simply state the fact of history that
what was granted as a privilege by them was conceded
as an “inalienable right” by Penn, which is the true
ground and teaching of democracy in government, and
always held and taught by Friends.
The inference of Friends’ early settlement here may
be drawn from the names and traditions of many of
our oldest families, being those of the early migration
to these Western shores, the public records showing
them faithfully supporting in many instances the
principles and testimonies against oaths, military ser-
vice and pursuing other society characteristics.
The first religious meeting of this denomination in
Harford county, so far as can be ascertained, was that
of Bush river. The date of its establishment is not
known. It continued in existence until about the year
1820. There is a spot near Bush river bridge, on the
Philadelphia Railroad, which has been designated as
the place where the meeting was held. Only a portion
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY. 1 95
of what was said to be the foundation of the meeting
house could be seen many years ago. The first authentic
record now fixes the date of the establishment of Deer
Creek meeting in 1736, held then as now at Darlington.
It was a branch of Bush river meeting. On September
29, 1 737, Nathan Rigbie conveyed three and a half acres,
part of “Philip’s Purchase/’ to the trustees of the Quaker
Meeting House at Deer Creek, and on May 25, 1789,
Janies Rigbie executed a confirmatory deed of the same
lot to Joseph Warner, Hugh Ely, Jacob Baldwin and
Isaiah Baldwin, trustees, etc. (Liber J. L. G. No. K.,
folio 347. Land Records of Harford county. First
deed, Liber H. W. S. I. A. 1, folios 17 and 18, Land
Records of Baltimore County.)
Next in order of establishment we find that of Little
Falls, near Fallston, about the year 1738, (not on its
present site, however), and Broad Creek, near Dublin,
in 1828. A meeting was established at Fawn Grove,
York county, Pa., near the Maryland line, many of its
members living in Harford. It was held as early as
1780.
The settlement of the meeting at Little Falls calls for
more than a passing notice.
William Amos, a resident, large land owner and
officer in the militia of the county, was walking on his
premises one Sabbath morning, when his meditations
and their effect upon his mind were of that character
that he called worship. Here he afterwards resorted
from a sense of conviction and found satisfaction in
continuing the practice. Finally, being joined by sev-
eral of his neighbors, upon comparing notes and mak-
ing inquiry, they found their views on religious mat-
ters coincided with Friends, and going twenty miles
196 HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
to the meeting of Gunpowder, in Baltimore county, and
their case being favorably considered by that body, they
were taken into membership.
William Amos, from being a soldier in the military
in the service of his country for the support of national
power, became a soldier of the cross, whose weapons
are not carnal, but spiritual, and having a gift in the
ministry of Christ, was a favored instrument in calling
many from “darkness to light, from the power of Satan
unto God.” Living to an advanced age, he saw his
“children’s children grow up to usefulness and call
him blessed,” and now rests in the yard of the home
of Garret Amos, one of his descendants, near Winter’s
Run, on the Bel Air pike.
This sketch does not admit of much in biography,
but it may be said that Harford has been the home of
many members of this faith whose upright lives and
good works have established lasting memorials. Moses
Shepherd, founder of the Philanthropic Institution, near
Baltimore, bearing his name, was born on Winter’s
Run, near Bel Air.
Nathan Tyson, first president of the Baltimore
Chamber of Commerce, was at one time a member of
Little Falls Meeting. Benj. P. More, a near relative,
and at one time a business partner of Johns Hopkins,
with his cultivated wife Mary, lived “and died the
death of the righteous” near Fallston, where their
home life of refinement, generous hospitality and piety
have left a lasting impression. At Deer Creek lived
John and Susanna Jewett, she a woman of strong mind
and a powerful minister, mother of the late Hugh J.
Jewett.
At Broad Creek was the home of David G. McCoy,
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY. I97
a man of more than ordinary ability, and one of the
earliest promoters of our present excellent school sys-
tem. In the bridge that spans the Susquehanna at
Conowingo is found a lasting monument to his energy
and public spirit, for to his efforts was largely due its
erection.
Among the ministers of the last century may be
named Bartholomew Fussel, ever faithful to the cause he
served; Samuel McConnell, of strong mind, judgment
and expression; George Reese, whose eloquence in
pleading the cause of the Master is well remembered
by many ; Abel A. Hull, whose dignity of bearing and
clearness of thought always impressed his hearers, and
Darlington Hoopes, whose plain, simple and earnest
pleading of the cause of truth as he saw it, coupled
with an unspotted life, still keeps his memory green
among those who came within his influence.
From the beginning, Friends have advocated a broad
and liberal education, and with their advent in any
community the establishment of schools for the guarded
education of youth has been a concern with them.
Before the establishment of our public schools there
were three flourishing schools under the care of Little
Falls Meeting. And so they are here, small in num-
bers, but still an element in the make-up of the county,
with no reason to ask the world’s pardon for having
been born, and no cause for abandoning any of their
principles or abatement in their efforts to maintain
them.
“There are those that take note that our numbers are small,
New Gibbons who write our decline and our fall ;
But the Lord of the seed-field takes care of his own,
And the world shall yet reap what our sowers have sown.”*
*A. H. Hull.
CHAPTER XVI.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
WILLIAM PACA — DR. JOHN ARCHER — COL. THOMAS WHITE — BENJ.
BRADFORD NORRIS.
WILLIAM PACA.
;
William Paca, the second son of John Paca, was
born near Abingdon, in what is now Harford county,
October 31, 1740. He was educated at the College of
Philadelphia, where he graduated June 8, 1759, and
on January 14, 1762, he was admitted as a student of
law at the Middle Temple, London. After completing
his studies there he entered the office of Stephen Bord-
ley, and on April 11, 1764, he commenced the practice
of his profession at Annapolis. He, however, retained
his connection with his native county, and represented
Harford in the State Convention of 1788, which rati-
fied the constitution of the United States. His col-
leagues from Harford in that convention were Luther
Martin, William Pinkney and John Love. In 1771 he
was elected a member of the provincial Legislature,
and was elected to the first and second Continental
Congresses. He was a signer of the Declaration of
Independence July 4, 1776. On the adoption of the
first State constitution he was made a Senator for two
years. In 1778 he was appointed chief judge of the
Superior Court of Maryland, which office he held until
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY. 1 99
1780, when he became chief judge of the Court of Ap-
peals in prize and admiralty cases. In 1782 he was
elected Governor of Maryland. In 1786 he sat in Con-
gress for a short time, and in the same year was re-
elected Governor. In 1789 he was appointed judge of
the United States Court for Maryland, which position
he held at the time of his death, in 1799. He married
a daughter of Samuel Chew as his first wife. His sec-
ond wife was Anna Harrison, of Philadelphia. His
portrait hangs over the judge’s seat in the courtroom
at Bel Air, and he and Governor Augustus W. Brad-
ford were, in point of public service, the most distin-
guished men ever born in Harford.
RICHARD DALLAM.
One of the most prominent men in Harford during
the Revolution was Richard Dallam, who was the
ancestor of the family of Dallams now residing in this
county. The first Dallam also bore the name of Rich-
ard, and was a nephew of Sarah Jennings, first
Duchess of Marlborough. He came from England
about the beginning of the eighteenth century, and set-
tled at Joppa, where he practiced law. The subject of
this sketch was one of his four sons. The latter served
in the Revolutionary War as paymaster, with the title
of general of this district. In the Annapolis Conven-
tion of June 22, 1774, which protested against the tax
on tea, Richard Dallam represented Harford county,
his colleagues from this county being John Love,
Thomas Bond, John Paca, Edward Hall and Jacob
Bond. He also signed the Bush declaration of March,
1775-
He was one of the commissioners named in the
200
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
dedimus for the formation of the new county in 1773-4.
He lived in Abingdon in 1786. In a letter from Rev.
Thomas Coke to Rev. Mr. Meath, written from South-
ampton, England, January 23, 1786, requesting the
latter to accept the position of head master at Cokes-
bury College, we find this : “There are several of our
principal friends live in the neighborhood (Abingdon).
One family (Mr. Dallam’s) you’ll find very agreeable.”
He died in March, 1805.
DR. JOHN* ARCHER.
John Archer, M. B., son of Thomas Archer, was
born near Churchville, in Harford county (then Balti-
more county), May 5, 1741. His grandfather, John
Archer, came to America from the vicinity of London-
derry, Ireland, in the early part of the eighteenth cen-
tury. The family is said to have descended from John
de Archer, who came to England with William the
Conqueror in 1066, as it is said all the Archers in
Great Britain were descended from him. Dr. John
Archer was the sole survivor of five children, all the
others having died of a malignant fever in infancy, he
narrowly escaping death at the same time. He is the
ancestor of all the Archers of that family now residing
in Harford county. He attended school at Nottingham
Academy, in Cecil county, where he was a classmate of
Dr. Benjamin Rush. In 1760 he graduated at Prince-
ton with the degree of A. B., and in 1763 received from
the same college the degree of A. M.
He studied theology, but on account of a throat
affection which impaired his speech, and for other rea-
sons, he was not well qualified for the ministry, and
he turned his attention to the study of medicine. He
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
201
attended lectures at the College of Philadelphia, the
forerunner of the present University of Pennsylvania.
On October 18, 1766, he married Catherine, daughter
of Thomas Harris, who lived nearby. In the recess
of the college Dr. Archer practiced medicine in New
Castle county, Del. On June 21, 1768, he graduated
as a physician, and as his name came first on the list of
the first graduating class, Dr. Archer received the
first medical degree ever conferred in America.
In July, 1769, he commenced the practice of his pro-
fession in Harford county. He grew rapidly in profes-
sional reputation and in the esteem of his neighbors.
He took a prominent part in public affairs at the time
of the Revolution, organizing on September 16, 1775,
a military company at Churchville, and his name is
subscribed to the famous Bush declaration. On No-
vember 27, 1776, he was chosen an elector for the
Senate of Maryland and a member of a committee of
observation for Harford county. He was also a dele-
gate to the first constitutional convention of the State,
which met at Annapolis in 1776, and which was pre-
sided over by Matthew Tilghman. His Harford col-
leagues in that convention were Jacob Bond, Henry
Wilson, Jr., and John Love. This convention also drew
up and adopted the bill of rights. In 1776 Dr. John
Archer and Gabriel Duval were chosen as presidential
electors for the State of Maryland. In 1800 he was
elected to Congress by the party of Jefferson, and was
re-elected in 1802. His skill as a physician was fre-
quently called into service during his term in Washing-
ton as a member of Congress. He died suddenly Sep-
tember 28, 1810, honored and respected by all who
202
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
knew him. He was the author of many articles on med-
icine and surgery, and was an eminent authority in his
day in his profession. He was the preceptor of a num-
ber of distinguished physicians who came after him,
and his house, near Churchville, was at times like a
medical college, so numerous were the young men who
sougth his tuition. He was the father of Jude Ste-
venson Archer, who was chief justice of the State. In
addition to the public offices held by Dr. Archer, as
stated above, he was one of the first of the Lords Jus-
tices of this county. His portrait may be seen in the
courtroom at Bel Air.
COL. THOMAS WHITE.
Bom in London in 1704, of good parentage,
Thomas White lost his father at the age of four years.
He attended a grammar school at St. Albans, near
London, but in 1720, at the age of sixteen, he sailed
for Maryland. It is said that he was of the retinue
of Charles Calvert, who came out in that year to be-
come governor of the province.
He was apprenticed to a Mr. Stokes to be taught for
the profession of law, and the usual fee of one hundred
guineas was paid for him. Young White accordingly
became a lawyer, but was soon appointed deputy sur-
veyor general for Baltimore county, then comprising
also Harford. This was an office of great importance
in those times, a position Washington held in his early
days in Virginia.
Colonel White became the authority on titles in his
county and his certificate was regarded as law. He
married Sophia, daughter of Capt. John Hall, of Cran-
berry. The latter was born in 1658 and in the year
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY. 203
1694 purchased certain tracts of land from Michael
Judd, Edward Boothby and others, making a tract of
1,539 acres, which he that year had laid out and sur-
veyed and which he called “Cranberry/’ being mainly
on Bush River.
Capt. John Hall’s wife was Martha Gouldsmith, nee
Beadle, whom he married July 18, 1693, and who died
in 1720. They had seven children. Captain Hall died
in August, 1737, and by his will he devised to his chil-
dren large tracts of land, among which were six hun-
dred acres on Deer Creek; Taylor’s Good Hope, four
hundred acres ; Timber Nest, four hundred and seventy
acres ; Cranberry, lying west of Mill run, and Jericho,
one thousand acres ; Harman’s Swantown, two hundred
acres ; The Enlargement and Old Quarter, seven hun-
dred acres; New Quarter, six hundred acres.
To his daughter Sophia, wife of Col. Thomas White,
he devised a tract of land called Sophia’s Dairy, which
is what is now known as the Dairy Farm; part of
Hall’s Plains and Simmon’s Neglect. Colonel White,
therefore, through his wife, was the proprietor of large
tracts of land, which he added to by the purchase and
patent of others, among which were the following
tracts : Ah Ah Indeed, Ah Ah the Cow Pasture, Edin-
burgh, Abbott’s Forest, Constantinople, Antrim, Kil-
kenny, Londonderry, Eaton’s Addition, Eaton’s Sec-
ond Addition, Gay’s Favor, Hathaway’s Hazard,
Chance, Rumney Royal, Hammond’s Hope, Paradise,
Leigh of Leighton, Royal Exchange, Simmond’s Neg-
lect, Neighbor’s Affinity, Attaway’s Trust, Constant
Friendship, Harrison’s Resolution, etc., etc. These
tracts were all large, Ah Ah Indeed, for instance, con-
tained eight hundred and twenty-five acres. In 1777
204 HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
Colonel White’s taxable real estate in Harford county
alone, comprised seven thousand seven hundred and
seventy-two and one-half acres. The tracts called Ah
Ah, just west of Abingdon, have a ghost story con-
nected with them, and children and the colored popu-
lation to this day have a dread of Ha Ha branch,
which crosses the Philadelphia road between Abingdon
and Van Bibber. This neighborhood is said to be the
haunt of a spectre which at times gives utterances to a
blood-curdling “ha ha.” The fear of this ghost is as
great in this generation as it was two hundred years
ago.
By order of the justices of Baltimore county, in
1728, Colonel White made a survey and plat of By-
num’s run from its mouth to its spring head, in order
to find the direct course, and from thence to run and
blaze that direct course.
Patents to Colonel White :
1734, Sokmon’s Song, fifty acres, on east side of
Bush river.
1736, St. Martin’s Ludgate, two hundred and eighty
acres. His London birthplace is here evidenced as
two of the most prominent points in London are Lud-
gate Hill and the Church of St. Martin’s, in the Fields.
1738, The Royal Exchange, four hundred and eighty
acres, on Swan creek.
1746, Montreal, two thousand seven hundred and
twenty-five acres.
1747, Ah Ha at a Venture, or Hathaway’s Hazard,
one hundred and eighty-three acres.
Colonel White and Sophia, his wife, had three chil-
dren. Sophia, born May 8, 1731, being the only one
of the three who married and left descendants. She
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY. 205
married her cousin, Aquila Hall, she and her husband
each being grandchildren of Capt. John Hall, of Cran-
berry. Colonel White’s residence was on the Dairy
Farm, between the present large brick house and the
river, and the remains of this house can yet be found.
Aquila Hall built the present Dairy Farm house in
1768. This is one of the largest in the county, even
now, and while without ornamentation, is a handsome
and imposing structure with a very large hall.
Colonel White was a vestryman of Spesutia Church.
He has a large number of descendants now living in
Harford, many of them occupying land acquired by
him.
In 1745 he removed to Philadelphia, and in May,
1747, married the second time, the name of this wife
being Esther Newman. William White, Bishop of
Pennsylvania and the first bishop of the Protestant
Episcopal Church in America, was the son of the sec-
ond marriage. There was a daughter also of this mar-
riage, Mary, who became the wife of Robert Morris,
of Philadelphia, the great financier, signer of the Decla-
ration of Independence and United States Senator
from Pennsylvania.
Colonel White was a vestryman of Spesutia Church,
tained his interests in Harford and died at the Dairy,
September 29, 1779, where he was buried. His re-
mains, together with those of Sophia, his wife, were
removed in 1877 to Spesutia Church, where they were
reinterred in the presence of about sixty of Colonel
White’s decendants.*
♦Meeting of descendants of Col. Thomas White.
206
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
JACOB BOND.
The first of this family to take up land within the
limits of what is now known as Harford county, was
Peter Bond, of Anne Arundel, who came into the col-
ony in the year 1660. He acquired Pleasant Hills, on
both sides of the Patapsco, about the mouth of Gwynn’s
Falls, now included in the city of Baltimore, and pat-
ented Harris' Trust, and in 1691 purchased the adja-
cent tract called Prosperity, lying on both sides of
Bush river.
He was twice married, and died in 1705, leaving sons
Peter, Thomas, William and John, the two last named
being minor children of his second wife, who, after a
brief period of mourning (1707), married Philip
Washington.
Peter Bond, as heir, succeeded to all the estate of
his father except Prosperity and Harris' Trust, which
were divided between the three younger sons.
Thomas had already settled in Harford county, and
in 1700 married Anne Robertson, of Anne Arundel.
He patented, in 1703, Knaves Misfortune, adjacent to
the tracts above mentioned, where he built a substantial
house in which he lived until his death. This house was
on the site of the residence of Mr. John R. Spencer, near
Emmorton. The old Bond house is said to have been
built of brick imported from England, and part of it
was standing up to the time of the erection of the pres-
ent dwelling by Mr. Lee Magness, about twenty years
ago. Thomas Bond died in 1756. This old house is
said to have been used as a smallpox hospital about
the time of the Revolution. Thomas Bond lies buried
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY. 20J
near the house and the location of his grave is still
known.
In 1714 he patented Bond’s Forest, of three thou-
sand one hundred acres, lying between Bynum’s run
and the Little Gunpowder Falls, and purchased Cheap-
side and Poplar Ridge, with other tracts, amounting to
about three thousand acres. In 1705 he received five
thousand acres, lying in Baltimore county, on the west
side of the Susquehanna river, called Bond’s Manor.
In 1739 he sold a portion of this land to Capt. Thomas
Cresap, who thus became involved in the boundary dis-
pute, from which William Penn emerged crowned
with success.
Thomas Bond, in 1749, conveyed to his sons Thomas
and John, as trustees, part of Bond’s Forest, to be laid
out conveniently near the main road, including “a house
now built intended for a meeting house for the people
called Quakers to worship God in, and also a school-
house already built.”
The records of Gunpowder Meeting show acceptance
of this deed in 1753. This was the beginning of the
Little Falls Meeting at Fallston.
He was a member of the celebrated grand jury which
protested against the removal of the county seat from
the Forks of Gunpowder to Joppa, denouncing it as
“a palpable, notorious grievance to this county.”
Thomas died in 1755, having previously settled each
of his sons in comfortable houses on “plantations,” and
divided his lands among his eight children. His eldest
son Thomas married Elizabeth Scott, and was the an-
cestor of large families of Jarrets, Amos, Bosleys,
Howards and Munnikhuysens.
208 HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
John married Alice Ann Webster, whose descendants
are Fells, Lees, Wilsons and Bradfords.
Joshua married Anne Partridge, and was the an-
cestor of many Lees, Morris, Morrisons and Howards.
Jacob married Fanny Partridge, and from him are
descended Prestons, Wilmers, Abbotts, Gittings, Hol-
lands and McCormicks. Sarah married William Fell,
whose descendants are Fells, Fews, Dabs, Kennards,
Dorseys and Johnsons.
Ann married Edward Fell, and afterwards Giles, and
from her are descended Giles and Johnsons.
John, son of Thomas, who married Alice Ann Web-
ster, joined his father-in-law in organizing the Bush
River Company, which erected one of the first iron fur-
naces in the colonies.
Thomas, son of John, married Rebecca, daughter of
Tobias Stansbury. He was justice of the peace and
judge of the Orphans’ Court, and a zealous adherent
of the Methodist church.
His eldest son John was an itinerant preacher, and
the friend and companion of Bishop Asbury.
His son was Dr. Thomas E. Bond, Sr., a very cel-
ebrated preacher and editor of the Christian Advocate,
the latter being the father of Dr. Thomas E. Bond,
the younger, and Judge Hugh Lennox Bond, recently
deceased.
The most prominent of the Bonds from the stand-
point of Harford history, was Jacob, who died in
November, 1780. He was a prominent member of the
Committee of Harford County in the Revolution, hav-
ing been elected by the people, and was captain of
Company Eleven, of Harford militia, in the Revolu-
tion, the other officers being Thomas Johnson, first
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY 209
lieutenant; James McComas, second lieutenant, and
Martin Preston, ensign.
Jacob Bond represented Harford county in the con-
vention which met at Annapolis in 1776 and formed
the first constitution of the State, his colleagues there
being Henry Wilson, Jr., John Love and John Archer.
He was also one of Harford’s representatives in the
Annapolis convention of June 22, 1774, which pro-
tested against the tax on tea, his Harford colleagues
being Richard Dallam, John Love, Thomas Bond, John
Paca and Benedict Edward Hall.
His children were :
Jacob Bond, Jr.,
Sarah, wife of Bernard Preston,
Martha,
Charlotte,
Ralph,
Dennis, the father of Dr. Elijah Bond,
Ann,
Priscilla.
His will, dated October 2, 1780, is recorded in the
Orphans’ Court at Bel Air.
Bernard Preston, who married Sarah Bond, above
named, was born in 1756. He built the large stone
house between Bel Air and Hickory now owned by
Mr. John B. Wysong, his great-grandson. Bernard’s
father was James Preston, born in 1713, and the lat-
ter’s father was the first settler on that property, viz.,.
James Preston, the son of James Preston, who was
the son of Thomas, named in the will of Richard Pres-
ton of Patuxent as “Thomas Preston of the Cliffs.”
210
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
BENJAMIN BRADFORD NORRIS.
About the year 1690, Benjamin Norris, the elder, set-
tled in Harford county, (then Baltimore county), and
lived at a farm he named Everly Hills, now owned
by the Hon. Herman Stump, and called by him Wav-
erly. He became possessed of a tract of land extending
from Bynum’s Run, in a section back of what is now
the Farnandis estate, to the Little Falls.
Benjamin Bradford Norris was the first of the name,
being called after his grandfathers, Benjamin Norris
and William Bradford, the Christian name of one and
the family name of the other.
John Norris was the father of a large family, seven
of whom were sons. His eldest son John married
Susanna Bradford. They had the first house that was
ever built at Mt. Pleasant, now the home of Mr. G.
Smith Norris. Part of this house is still standing. It was
built early in the eighteenth century. John’s eldest son
was Benjamin Bradford Norris, who was educated in
Harford. Bradford Norris married Elizabeth Rich-
ardson. The two had quite a large family; only two
sons, however. Bradford Norris was one of the sign-
ers of the Harford Declaration of Independence. He
was also a soldier in the Revolutionary Army, and
served in a company raised and commanded by his
brother, Jacob Norris, who became a colonel. They
were with Washington in his campaign in Delaware
and Jersey. Jacob Norris was severely wounded, and
received a pension for the balance of his life. He was
buried in the Methodist graveyard in Bel Air. The
headstone bears the following inscription :
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
21 1
Died
In March, 1807,
Jacob Norris,
An Officer
of the 6th Maryland Regiment
in the War of the
Revolution.
To His Memory This Pillar Is Raised
by His Daughter Sophia.
Benjamin Bradford Norris was very highly esteemed
by the people of his community, and was appointed to
represent them in the first Legislature that was con-
vened after the State government was established. Of
his sons, one died in infancy, and the other died of
yellow fever in Norfolk at the age of twenty-one.
Benjamin Bradford Norris died in April, 1790, and
his administrators were Eliabzeth Norris and Jacob
Norris.
One of Jacob Norris’ sons was a commander in the
United States Navy, and was lost at sea on the Hornet.
John Norris, another of the brothers Norris, was one
of the incorporators, and represented the Church of
England when Union Chapel was built near Wilna.
CHAPTER XVII.
BIOGRAPHICAL — Continued.
REV. JOHN COLEMAN — WILLIAM BRADFORD — JOHN STUMP, OF
STAFFORD — WILLIAM SMITHSON — AQUILA HALL — WILLIAM
MORGAN — COL. IGNATIUS WHEELER — COL. JOHN STREETT —
DANIEL SCOTT — SAMUEL CAL WELL.
REV. JOHN COLEMAN.
An early settler in Harford county was Rev. John
Coleman, a Protestant Episcopal clergyman and a sol-
dier of the Revolutionary War. He was usually known
as “ Parson” Coleman, and many traditions of him still
remain among descendants of his former parishioners
in Baltimore and Harford counties. He was a native of
Dinwiddie county, Va., and studied for the ministry
under the supervision of Rev. Devereux Jarrett, of that
county and State, whose autobiography, in the shape of
letters addressed to Rev. Mr. Coleman, was published
by the latter after the death of Mr. Jarrett. Mr. Cole-
man was ready for ordination into the ministry at the
time, or shortly after the breaking out of the War of In-
dependence. His clerical intentions, however, did not
prevent his taking part with his fellow-countrymen in
that struggle, and he and a brother accordingly joined
the patriotic forces. They chanced to be serving under
Gen. Anthony Wayne, in Chester county, Pa., when
that terrible massacre was prepetrated near what was
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY. 213
known as Paoli Tavern, on the Lancaster road. In
giving an acount of the affair, Lossing, in his book of
the Revolution, says in substance :
“Gen. Wayne lay encamped with fifteen hundred men
and two cannon in a secluded spot on the night of Sep-
tember 20, 1 777. The British General Howe, at the
time occupying Philadelphia, was informed by a Tory
of the situation, and sent Gen. Grey with a large force
to surprise the camp at midnight and slaughter the
patriot forces. The night proved to be dark and
stormy, and our forces were taken completely un-
awares and butchered by the bayonet, no quarter
under orders of the Commander Grey being shown to
those denominated rebels. A Hessian sergeant after-
wards said : ‘We killed three hundred of the rebels with
the bayonet. I stuck them myself like so many pigs
until the blood ran out of the touch hole of my musket.’
‘Remember Paoli !’ was after this adopted as a war
cry by Wayne’s forces on many a field, where the mas-
sacre was in part at least avenged.”
The subject of this sketch fortuitously escaped
death on the occasion referred to, but his brother was
among the slain. Mr. Coleman, after the war, went to
England, and was there ordained for the ministry. He
came shortly afterwards to Maryland, and was pastor
for a number of years at Trinity Church, near Long
Green Valley, and the Manor Church (St. James),
and also at St. Thomas’ Church, Garrison Forest, all
in Baltimore county. He afterwards removed to Har-
ford, having in the meanwhile married Pleas-
ance Goodwin, a niece of Gen. Charles Ridgely, of
Hampton. This gentleman presented to the newly
married couple a valuable farm of about three hundred
214 HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
acres, now divided into several properties, situated
near Watervale, about three miles west of Bel Air,
purchased from Lemuel Howard, whereon Parson
Coleman lived with his family until his death, in the
year 1816. It was during his ministry in this parish
that Christ Church (Rock Spring) was built in the
year 1805, and he became its first rector, and so re-
mained during the balance of his life. Six children were
born to him, but the only daughter, Rebecca Ridgely,
was the only child that survived to years of maturity.
She married Capt. John Yellott, of Dulaney’s Valley,
Baltimore county, and was the mother of Mary Ander-
son, wife of Rev. John Anderson; Elizabeth Mayna-
dier, wife of Henry G. Maynadier, Jeremiah, John,
George, Coleman and Washington Yellott. Of these
only Hon. Gorge Yellott, of Towson, lately chief judge
of the Third Judicial Circuit, survives. The descend-
ants of others, however, still remain in Baltimore and
Harford counties, among whom are Hon. Geo. Y. May-
nadier, of Harford ; Major John I. Yellott, and Geo. W.
Yellott, of Baltimore county, and Mrs. E. L. F. Hard-
castle, of Talbot county.”
WILLIAM BRADFORD.
William Bradford, Sr., was of English ancestry, his
family having come originally from Yorkshire, where
Bradfords bearing the same family arms were found
upon the Manor of that name, in the reign of Henry III.
He was the son of William Bradford and Elizabeth
Lightbody, who came to Maryland early in the eight-
eenth century, and settled upon land at the head of
Bush river. His father was one of the early school-
masters of the colony. He was commissioned by the
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY. 21 5
Bishop of London to teach on the plantations and be-
came later on a soldier in the Colonial Army with the
rank of captain.
The subject of this sketch was born in 1739 at his
father’s home place, on Bynum’s Run, just across
which lived his near neighbor, Aquila Hall. He
obtained a good education under his father’s tuition, and
he also received an early training in the doctrine of the
Christian religion, in which his family had for genera-
tions been more or less conspicuous. His father had
been registrar, clerk and vestryman in St. John’s Par-
ish, and he succeeded him as a member of the same
vestry. His paternal grandfather was John Bradford,
a merchant of London, whose brother, Samuel Brad-
ford, was Bishop of Rochester and Dean of Westmin-
ster, and his paternal grandmother was Mary Skin-
ner, daughter of Matthew Skinner, M. D., of London,
and a granddaughter of Robert Skinner, Bishop of
Bristol. Several of his ancestors had also been closely
connected in an official way with St. Ann’s Parish,
London. His paternal great grandfather, William
Bradford, was a parish officer therein during the
great plague of 1665, and of whom it is recorded
that “so conscientious was he in the performance of his
duties that he remained in London, giving his per-
sonal attention to the sick and dying, though he re-
moved his family to Islington.”
The latter’s only children were, as stated above, John
and Samuel, and a daughter Hannah, who married
Joseph Presbury, of London, and whose son, James
Presbury, came to Maryland and settled near his
cousin, William Bradford. He was the ancestor of
the Presbury family of Maryland.
2l6
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
William Bradford, Sr., became a pronounced pa-
triot, as did also his only brother, George Bradford..
Both he and his brother were elected members of the
Harford Committee of 1775, the latter of whom would,
no doubt, have been a signer, too, of Harford's “Decla-
ration of Independence” had he been present at the
time.
The “senior” which William Bradford suffixed to
his name when he signed the declaration, and which
was something unusual for him to do, was to designate
him from his nephew of the same name, who was also
an ardent patriot and a lieutenant in Capt. Alexander
Lawson Smith's Company of Fort Washington fame.
It was an earnest of the intense responsibility which he
assumed, when he so solemnly pledged himself to the
sacred cause of his country. In September, 1775, he
organized Company No. 13 of Harford minute men,
and was its captain. He was married in 1764 to Sarah
McComas, to whom were born eleven children, one of
whom, Samuel Bradford, married Jane Bond, and lived
for many years in Bel Air. Samuel was the father of
Augustus W. Bradford, Governor of Maryland during
the Civil War.
William Bradford lived adjoining his brother upon a
tract containing about three hundred acres, called “Lit-
tleton,” where he died in 1794.
JOHN STUMP, OF STAFFORD.
John Stump and Mary, his wife, were Prussians of
wealth and culture, who came to Maryland about
the year 1700. The name of his European ancestors is
said to have been spelled Stumpf. John Stump was
a cousin of Baron Friederich von der Trenck, the
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY. 21 7
younger of the two famous kinsman of that name, who
figured conspicuously during the reign of Frederick
the Great. John Stump purchased a large tract of land
near the present town of Perryville, in Cecil county,
where he died in 1747, having divided his property by
will between his only surviving children, John and
Henry. In that year, or in the next, Henry Stump re-
moved to the valley of Deer Creek, in Harford county,
then part of Baltimore county, where he had purchased
a farm. He married Rachel Perkins, by whom he had
several children, and many of his descendants are liv-
ing in Harford and Cecil counties. He was the ances-
tor of the Honorable John H. Price, once judge of the
judicial circuit composed of Baltimore, Cecil and Har-
ford counties; of the Hon. Henry Stump, formerly
judge of the Criminal Court of Baltimore city, and of
the latter’s nephew, the Hon. Frederick Stump, recently
a judge of the Second Judicial Circuit. John Stump
married Hannah, daughter of William Husbands, a de-
scendant on the female side of Augustine Herman,
(whence the name of Herman in the Stump family),
of Bohemia Manor. In 1796 he, too, removed to Har-
ford, having sold his own property, and that in-
herited by his wife, consisting of several farms. He
died in I797,leaving three children—Hannah, who mar-
ried her cousin, John Stump, son of Henry, above men-
tioned; Herman, who married Elizabeth Dallam, and
John. Elizabeth Dallam subsequently married Abra-
ham Jarrett, and was the mother of Capt. A. Limgan
Jarrett, for many years clerk of the Circuit Court for
Harford county. John was born April 19, 1753, and
married October 3, 1779, Cassandra, daughter of
Henry Wilson, a Quaker of much influence, who was
218 HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
noted for his patriotic zeal during the Revolution.
Henry, the brother of Cassandra, was a member of the
Committee of Observation of his native county, and
was conspicuous in collecting and forwarding supplies
for the relief of the people of Boston during its blockade
by the British squadron. He and John Archer, M. B.,
several of whose descendants subsequently inter-mar-
ried with the Stump family, were chosen in November,
1776, by popular vote, “electors of a Senate of Har-
ford county,” and were also members of the Provincial
Convention. John Stump, after acquiring by his indus-
try and enterprise, an estate which was at that time
probably the largest in the State, died at his residence,
“Stafford,” near the mouth of Deer Creek, in 1816,
leaving each of his eight children wealthy. He was
in business, and had mills at Stafford, Rock Run and
Bush, in Harford county, and at Alexandria, in Vir-
ginia. He was probably the leading merchant and
manufacturer of his day in the State. He signed in
1776 the Association of the Freemen of Maryland.
John Stump’s partners in business were his brother
Herman Stump, John Wilson, Samuel Carter and John
Thomas Ricketts. John Stump built several vessels at
Rock Run and Havre de Grace, and shipped flour and
other things directly from the Susquehanna to Eng-
land. His son, John Wilson, besides being engaged in
agricultural pursuits, was at the head of an extensive
commercial firm in Baltimore city, having as his part-
ner Hon. James W. Williams, who married his sister,
and who, in 1841, represented in Congress Harford
and Cecil counties. Mr. John W. Stump, whilst re-
turning on one of his vessels from France, in 1814, when
the British fleet was in Chesapeake bay, barely escaped
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY. 2ig
capture, and reached the city of Baltimore in time to
participate in its defence as aide to Gen. Strieker. On
January 13, 1814, he married Sarah, daughter of Col.
James Biays, a large shipping merchant of Baltimore,
who owned many vessels, and aided materially in build-
ing up the commerce of the city. John W. Stump was
the father of Hon. Herman Stump, President of the
Maryland Senate, member of Congress and Commis-
sioner-General of Immigration. Colonel Biays com-
manded the cavalry at the battle of North Point,
and in the official reports of that battle was highly com-
mended for his efficiency. There now reside in Har-
ford county many descendants of John Stump, of Staf-
ford, among whom are Stumps, Lees, Archers, Con-
stables, Smithsons. Ann, daughter of John Stump, of
Stafford, was the mother of Hon. Henry W. Archer.
WILLIAM SMITHSON.
A large land owner and venerated judge and citizen
was William Smithson, who was born in the year 1745.
He built and for thirty-five years occupied his residence,
which is now called the Farnandis Homestead, near
Bel Air, and died there January 17, 1809. The house
was built by him in 1774, the year of the formation of
the county, and compares favorably now with the best
of our modern dwellings. William Smithson, although
a man of wealth, was an ardent friend of liberty, and
advocated that cause in the Revolution. We find his
name subscribed to the Bush declaration of March,
1775, and he was one of the first of the Lord's Justices
of the county. On the adoption of the new judiciary
system he became one of the three judges of the Cir-
cuit Court for Harford county, and occupied a seat in
220
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
the old courthouse in Bel Air, his colleagues being
Henry Ridgely and Benedict Edward Hall.
William Smithson owned the large tract of land near
Bel Air, now designated as the “Homestead” farm.
On his death in 1809, leaving no children, after making
provision for his widow, he devised his land to his
niece Elizabeth, wife of Col. Harry Dorsey, and to her
brother William, both of whom were the children of the
testator’s brother Daniel, and both of whom had been
reared in the home of their uncle William. Elizabeth’s
share of the land was entailed by the will to her daugh-
ter Mary, who became the wife of William Farnandis,
and the mother of Hon. Henry D. Farnandis, recently
deceased. Mrs. Mary Farnandis’ death antedated that
of her distinguished son Henry only about twelve
years, and both of them are well remembered for their
hospitality, courtesy and unswerving fidelity to their
friends. This latter quality seems to have been a char-
acteristic of the family, and was pre-eminent in Mr.
Henry D. Farnandis, whose memory will ever be cher-
ished by the bar of his county, of which he was its
brightest ornament.
Elizabeth Dorsey had but one daughter, the Mary
Farnandis above stated.
William Smithson, Jr., has a number of descendants
at present residing in Harford county, among whom
are the Smithsons, Forwoods, Websters, Govers,
Bonds and Bulls. Mr. William S. Forwood, Jr., clerk
of the Circuit Court for Harford County, is his great
grandson. Besides the “Homestead,” William Smith-
son, Sr., owned land between Bel Air and the Catholic
Church at Hickory, which he had bought of Thomas
Pycraft Presbury.
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
221
His will, admitted to probate January 25, 1809, was
witnessed by John Guyton, Joseph Robinson and John
Reardon. The testator’s wife Elizabeth, and his son-
in-law, Henry Dorsey, were named as executors.
His long and honorable official career shows the esti-
mation in which he was held by the public, and he died
full of years and honors.
Just outside the southeasterly limits of Belair, and
along the division line between the Fulford and Home-
stead farms, is the old graveyard of the Smithson and
Farnandis families. After diligent search the head-
stone over the grave of William Smithson was found,
nearly sunk in the ground and quite hidden by the
weeds and grass. On the tomb is this inscription :
In Memory
of
William Smithson,
Who Departed This Life January 17, 1809,
Aged 64 Years.
AQUILA HALL.
Aquila Hall was born in Harford, then Baltimore
county, January 10, 1727. He was a son of Aquila,
who was the youngest son of John Hall, of Cranberry,
and was one of the most prominent of all the men of
Harford in the early days. In 1763 he was elected to
the House of Delegates to represent Baltimore county,
his colleagues being Charles Ridgely, Thomas C. Deye
and Walter Tolley. In 1762 he was sheriff of Balti-
more county. Aquila Hall is the second in the list of
commissioners named by the Act of Assembly for the
222
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
formation of Harford county. By virtue of the Dedi-
mus indorsed on the commission for forming the new
county, he administered the oaths to his fellow- justices
on the first day of the organization of the county
government, March 22, 1774, his colleagues on the
bench being Thomas Bond, Jeremiah Sheredine, Bene-
dict Edward Hall, William Webb and Aquila Paca.
The first court for the county was held in a house at
Harford Town, or Bush, owned by him and occupied
by Thomas Miller, who was named as sheriff of the
county.
In the famous Bush declaration of March, 1775, the
name of Aquila Hall is the first on the list. He was
zealous in the cause of his country in the Revolution,
and on September 9, 1775, organized a military com-
pany, of which he was elected captain, with Samuel
Griffith, first lieutenant; Jacob Forwood, second lieu-
tenant, and John Chancey, ensign.
On June 11, 1774, he presided over a meeting at
Bush, at which resolutions were passed expressing
sympathy with Boston in her tax troubles, and at
which a committee was appointed to meet the commit-
tees of other counties in this province to consult and
agree on the most effectual means to preserve our con-
stitutional rights and liberties, etc.
By the State Convention, which convened December
7, 1775, resolutions were passed January 1, 1776, look-
ing to the formation of a proper military force for the
State, and for the Upper Battalion of Harford, Aquila
Hall was named as colonel, with John Love as lieu-
tenant-colonel; Josias Carvil Hall, first major; Dr.
John Archer, second major, and Richard Dallam, quar-
termaster.
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY. 22 3
The General Assembly on June 29, 1777, selected
lieutenants for the various counties, and Aquila Hall
was named for Harford.
The last record of Aquila Hall in public life is to be
found in the meeting of the court at Bush, March 23,
1779, at which time he was present as one of the Lords
Justices. He died in April, 1779, leaving the following
children, viz : Thomas Hall, James White Hall, William
Hall, John Hall, Edward Hall, Charlotte Hall, Mary
Hall, Sophia Hall and Martha Hall.
His wife was his first cousin, Sophia, daughter of
Col. Thomas White, whom he married February 14,
1750, and who died in 1785, aged fifty-four years.
Aquila Hall built the large brick house at “Sophia’s
Dairy” in 1768.
WILLIAM MORGAN.
William Morgan was born in 1744 near the Trappe
Church, in Harford county, and was the son of Edward
Morgan, who had come to that section three years
previously. Part of the house in which William was
born is still standing. He married Cassandra Lee, a
Quakeress, daughter of James Lee, and was the father
of nine children, viz: Elizabeth, who married Thos.
S. Chew; Sarah, who married Joseph Hopkins; Cas-
sandra, wife of Zaccheus O. Bond ; Edward Morgan ;
Elliner, who married John Hopkins; James L. Mor-
gan; Mary, the wife of Ephraim Hopkins; Martha,
who remained single, and Margaret, also unmarried.
William Morgan owned large tracts of land on Deer
Creek, among his lands being “Simmon’s Choice,”
“Simmon’s Neglect,” “Freeland’s Mount,” “Planters’
224 HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
Paradise/’ part of “Arabia Petrea,” “Miller’s At-
tempt.” He died in November, 1795, at the age of
fifty-one years.
William Morgan was a man of great prominence in
his day, and his career shows the public estimation in
which he was held. The archives of Maryland show
that he was commissioned a captain in the Revolution.
He was also a signer of the Bush declaration of March,
1775. His will is recorded in the office of the Register
of Wills at Bel Air, and his signature is as bold and
clear as on the day it was signed — November 5, 1795.
The executors named in his will were his brother,
Robert Morgan, and Edward Prigg. The personal
estate, as exhibited in the Orphans’ Court, was about
twenty thousand dollars, which, with his large landed
interest, indicates that he was a rich man. A number of
his descendants now reside in Harford, and are all peo-
ple of influence and prominence.
COL. IGNATIUS WHEELER.
A very prominent man in Harford county in Revo-
lutionary times was Col. Ignatius Wheeler, who lived
on his estate called Deer Park, near the present Ady
Postoffice, in the Fifth election district.
He was first lieutenant of Company No. 16 of Har-
ford militia, the other officers of which were William
Webb, captain; William Fisher, Jr., second lieutenant;
John Webb, Jr., ensign.
Besides Deer Park, which is a large tract, Colonel
Wheeler owned the fertile estate called Belle Farm,
comprising a large part of the present Pylesville sec-
tion, one of the finest portions of the county, now as
well as in early days.
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY. 225
A large portion of Belle Farm is now owned by the
Jenkins and McAtee families, who are direct descend-
ants of Colonel Wheeler, and the estate has thus re-
mained in the Wheeler heirs.
The farm called Garden Spot, belonging to the late
Joshua Rutledge, near the Rocks of Deer Creek, be-
longed, to Colonel Wheeler, who was an ancestor of
Mr. Rutledge.
In the Maryland Legislature for the sessions 1786
and 1787, Colonel Wheeler was one of the delegates
from Harford county.
He died on his estate of Deer Park in August, 1793,
and his will, dated July 13 of that year, is recorded in
the office of the Register of Wills of Harford County
in Liber A. J. No. R., folio 217.
His children were : Monica, who married Jacob Rut-
ledge, whose descendants now living in Harford county
are Rutledges, Stephensons and Hollands. John W.
Rutledge and Ignatius Rutledge were her sons.
Treacy (or Teresa), who married Capt. Henry
McAtee, from whom are sprung the present McAtee,
Richardson and Raphel families in Harford county,
and also Streetts.
Henriette, who remained single.
Mary Ann (Polly), who married Samuel Brown,
who, after the death of Mary, married her sister Eliza-
beth.
From Elizabeth are descended the present Jenkins
family in Harford and Baltimore counties, Elizabeth's
daughter Ann Maria having married Ignatius Jenkins,
of Dulaney's Valley, Baltimore county.
Bennet was the progenitor of the present Wheeler
family in Harford county.
226 HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
Ignatius never married.
Frank Wheeler was the ancestor of the Wheeler
family in Baltimore county, and of Adys and Burkes
in Harford and Baltimore counties. By Colonel
Wheeler’s will his brother Joseph and John Lee Gib-
son, who had married Colonel Wheeler’s sister, were
left executors and trustees.
John Lee Gibson was the first clerk of the Circuit
Court for Harford County (not counting Alex. Law-
son).
Colonel Wheeler lies buried at St. Ignatius Church,
Hickory.*
COL. JOHN STREETT.
The Streett family is one of the oldest in Harford
county. Three brothers — David, Thomas and John —
came to America from London early in the eighteenth
century. One, John, went to Philadelphia ; David set-
tled on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, and Thomas
in Harford (then Baltimore) county, Maryland.
Rev. Nicholas Streett, who was born in London in
1603, the year of the death of Queen Elizabeth, and
who came to America in 1637-8 and settled at Taunton,
Mass., and afterwards became a distinguished theolo-
gian, is said to have been of the same family as the
Harford County Streetts.
Thomas Streett, before the Revolution, took out a
patent for seven hundred acres of land above the Rocks
of Deer Creek, called Streett’s Hunting Ground, part
of which is yet in the possession of his descendants.
Thomas Streett was residing on this property in
1774, at the time of the foundation of the county.
*Mr. P. H. Rutledge, a descendant of Col. Wheeler, assisted in the prepa-
ration of the above.
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY. 22?
Besides a large number of the name now in Harford
many other prominent families here are descended
from Thomas Streett. Among them are Williams,
Fendal, Waters, Bell, Gladden, Baldwin, Glenn,
Whiteford, Cairnes, Amos, Den Bow, Bevard, St.
Clair, Holmes and many others.
Col. John Streett was born in the year 1762 in what
is now Marshall’s district of Harford county, where
he died in the year 1837. His wife’s name was Martha
St. Clair. He was an extensive farmer, owning more
than three thousand acres. He was also a successful
business man and was prominent in the politics of the
county, serving twelve times consecutively in the Mary-
land Legislature as a representative from Harford.
At the time of the British attack upon Baltimore, in
September, 1814, a call was made for troops from the
surrounding country. Colonel Streett marched with
his cavalry command from Harford county to the de-
fence of that city, and served with the brigade of cav-
alry at North Point. In his command as officers were
Capt. Clem Butler and Capt. McAtee, and several of
Colonel Streett’s sons also served under him.
The children of Col. John Streett were :
James, born August 22, 1789.
Mary, who married Henry Amos.
John, bom 1791.
William.
Shadrach.
Thomas, who married Catherine Merryman.
St. Clair, born 1798, who married Miss Jarrett.
Dr. Abraham J., born in 1800; married Elizabeth
Streett.
Charlotte, who married Silas Baldwin.
22 8
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
DANIEL SCOTT.
Daniel Scott was a native of Harford, being one
of the seven children of Aquila Scott, whose an-
cestors for generations had been planters and large
landowners in Baltimore and Harford counties, one of
them having given the land to Baltimore county on
which the first courthouse at Joppa was built, and when
Harford was established and the new county seat
was chosen at Scott’s Oldfields, now Bel Air, the
subject of the present sketch conveyed to the county
the ground upon which the courthouse and jail are still
standing.
He was the surveyor of the county and was elected
a member of the Committee of Harford from Bush
River Lower Hundred, and was one of the signers of
Harford’s famous declaration.
Daniel Scott died about the year 1828, leaving an
only child, Otho Scott, who became the leading mem-
ber of the bar of Harford county and one of the most
distinguished lawyers in Maryland.
The latter, in i860, codified the Laws of Maryland,
condensing into two volumes all the varied and un-
skilfully framed laws passed in the State since its
foundation. The Code of i860 stands as a monument
to his memory, many leading lawyers pronouncing it
the best code ever produced. It is peculiarly appropri-
ate that his portrtait now adorns the courtroom at Bel
Air, which was the theatre of many of his achievements.
It is a singular fact that a majority of the descend-
ants of the signers of the Harford declaration still live
in their native county, many on the very farms worked
for generations by their ancestors, and the late Daniel
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY. 229
Scott was a conspicuous example of this, he having re-
sided on the same land which had been in his family
for more than two centuries. This continued posses-
sion and occupancy of the land speaks volumes for the
healthfulness and beauty of Harford and attests the
love of the descendants for the land of their illustrious
ancestors.
SAMUEL CALWELL.
Samuel Calwell was born in Harford (then Balti-
more) county, of Irish and Scotch parentage, and was
a resident of Bush River Lower Hundred, at that time
one of the largest districts in the county. He married
Ann Richardson, whose family was a prominent one
locally, and lived for many years on a farm called the
Grove, on Winter’s run, near the present Almshouse,
a part of this land being now in the possession of Mr.
George Steigler. His life seems to have been a quiet
and uneventful one, as few reminiscences have been
handed down to his descendants.
In February, 1775, he was elected a member of the
Committee of Harford County to represent, with nine
other members, the Bush River Lower Hundred, and
was present at Harford Town on March 22, 1775, when
he signed the memorable declaration of that date. Sam-
uel Calwell survived that interesting event about
twenty-five years and died in the year 1800.
One of his sons, James Calwell, migrated to Vir-
ginia, and was the founder and owner of the Green-
brier White Sulphur Springs, which he conducted for
many years, helping to make it one of the most cele-
brated summer resorts in the United States, and some
of his descendants are still living there.
23O HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
Another son, William, established himself as a mer-
chant in Bel Air, and died in the early part of the last
century.
A third son, Thomas, removed to Baltimore and
established large and successful flour mills there. The
last named was the father of sixteen children, some of
whose descendants are still living in Baltimore and
Harford counties and in other states. A grandson,
Joseph Cushing Calwell, a retired merchant, is living
in Brooklyn, N. Y. ; another grandson, William G.
Wetherall, whose father’s family settled in Harford
over a century ago, is a prominent iron merchant of
Baltimore city, and James S. Calwell, a member of the
bar of Baltimore, whose summer home is in Harford,
is another grandson, whose children by his marriage
with the daughter and only child of the late Daniel
Scott and his wife, Cordelia Scott (nee Norris), are
descendants of three signers of the Harford declara-
tion, that noble band of patriots who risked their lives
and fortunes that they and their posterity might enjoy
constitutional government, viz : Samuel Calwell, Daniel
Scott and Benjamin Bradford Norris.
ISAAC WEBSTER.
SAMUEL WEBSTER.
RICHARD WEBSTER.
The Webster family is one of the oldest in Har-
ford, and has furnished of its members some of the
most distinguished men in the county, among these
being the Isaac, Samuel and Richard above named,
Captain John A. Webster, of the war of 1812 fame, and
the late Col. Edwin H. Webster, a distinguished lawyer,
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY. 23 1
president of the Maryland Senate, colonel of the
Seventh Maryland Regiment, which he organized,
member of Congress and twice Collector of the Port of
Baltimore. As the scope of this book does not reach
past the war of 1812, it is with Isaac, Samuel and Rich-
ard that this sketch is especially to deal. The Webster
family is of English and Scotch origin, the first to
cross the ocean being John, who settled in Virginia,
and was known as John of Roanoke; Isaac, who was
the progenitor of the present Webster family here;
Samuel and Michael. There are patents now in pos-
session of the family for land in this county, bearing
date in the seventeenth century. The original repre-
sentatives of the Websters in this county were of
diversified religious belief, some being Quakers and
others Episcopalians, many of the present generation
being Presbyterians and Methodists. The family coat
of arms is a swan feeding its young. A very old seal
showing this crest is now in possession of the family.
John Webster was born in 1670, and lived to be
eighty-five years of age. His will, dated in 1751, is
recorded in the old Will Records of Baltimore County.
A son John had died before the testator, and in the
latter’s will he provides for his children as follows:
Sarah, Michael, Samuel, Aliceanna and the Isaac above
named.
Samuel, the son of John, was born in 1710, and
married Elizabeth Dallam. He was a prominent man
in his day and held the important and lucrative office
of tobacco inspector at Joppa, then one of the principal
ports of the State. Samuel’s son, Richard, was born
April 7th, 1741, on the family homestead near Calvary,
232
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
in Harford County, and he died in the old stone family
residence. He was twice married, his first wife being
a daughter of William Lester. Of this union there
were three children : John, Samuel and Richard, the
latter being the father of Mr. James Webster, now
living in the county. His second wife was Phoebe,
daughter of George Smith, of Chester County, Penn-
sylvania, whose children were: George, Elizabeth,
William W., Sarah, Isaac, Wesley, Henry and Phoebe.
Henry was the father of Col. Edwin H. Webster and
of Mr. William Webster, who now resides on the
home place.
Isaac, the son of John, was a leading man in the
county before and at the time of the Revolution.
He was a member of the Bush River Company, and
was a man of wealth and position. His daughter,
Aliceanna, married John Bond, of Baltimore Town,
who was also a member of the Bush River Company.
Aliceanna Bond, daughter of John Bond and Aliceanna
Webster, his wife, on May 30th, 1767, married Thomas
Kell at Fell’s Point, Baltimore. They moved shortly
afterwards to Kellville, Harford County, which was
their home for the remainder of their lives. The issue
of this marriage were :
Alice Kell, June 2nd, 1768.
Elizabeth Kell, July 10th, 1769.
Pamelia Kell, August 5th, 1770.
John Bond Kell, July 16th, 1771.
Thomas Kell, September 22nd, 1 772.
Isaac Kell, August 17th, 1774.
Aliceanna Kell,
Wesley Kell,
| Twins, June, 1776.
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY. 233
William Kell, April 20th, 1777.
Nathan Kell, December 28th, 1778.
Aliceanna Kell, August 15th, 1780.
Elizabeth Kell, October 26th, 1781.
j Elizabeth Kell, May 26th, 1783.
I Anne Kell, April 25th, 1785.
Harriet Ann Kell, May 23rd, 1786.
The Thomas Kell, born September 27th, 1772, was
j Judge, Clerk of the Court in Baltimore, and the only
native of Harford who was ever Attorney General of
< the State of Maryland. The latter’s daughter, Eliza-
I beth, on November 10th, 1835, married Augustus
! W. Bradford, who was born in Bel Air, on January
\ 9th, 1806, and was Governor of Maryland during the
j Civil War.
A portion of the house in which Governor Bradford
| was born is now standing and is part of the residence
j of his son, Mr. Samuel Webster Bradford, on Main
j street, Bel Air.
CHAPTER XVIII.
THE WAR OF 1812.
NATIONAL CONDITIONS — WEAK FEDERAL GOVERNMENT — VALUABLE
ASSISTANCE BY THE FRENCH — FORT MCHENRY — NORTH POINT
— CAPT. JOHN A. WEBSTER, COL. WILLIAM SMITH AND COL. JOHN
STREETT, ALL OF HARFORD, ASSIST IN THE DEFENCE OF BALTI-
MORE— SKETCH OF CAPTAIN WEBSTER — BRITISH ATTACK UPON
HAVRE DE GRACE — JOHN O’NEIL — COLONEL SMITHES 42D REGI-
MENT.
There are old men yet with us who in their youth
have seen soldiers of the Revolution, but even young
men can remember soldiers of the war of 1812, and the
meetings of veterans of that war held annually in Bal-
timore have only within the past decade ceased on
account of the death of the last survivors. Many men
of middle age now living in Harford had fathers who
served in that war. Our distinguished fellow-citizen,
Capt. John A. Webster, a participant in that conflict,
reached his journey’s end at his home, “The Mount,”
in the first district, on July 4, 1877, and so the events
of that time in a certain sense may be considered mod-
ern. The causes of that war are well known, and the
victories on the sea and disasters on land are too famil-
iar to be recounted here. The successful financial sys-
tem of Hamilton had not been kept up. Jefferson
became President 1801, and with him came in the
doctrines of individual liberty, States rights and poor
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY. 235
finances. Under the administration of Jefferson and
Madison the public taste for home government, State
sovereignty and equal rights was freely indulged, but
the arm of the federal power was allowed to become
weak and feeble, so that when the time came for the
nation to act as such and resist the encroachment of
her most bitter enemy, the loose fabric of the Federal
Government, as then administered, was entirely inade-
quate to the situation. Here again fortune came to our
side in the assistance rendered by France. In the Rev-
olution, when the English held our large cities, while
the army of Washington was suffering from cold and
hunger at Valley Forge, while the British lived in com-
fort and plenty in the cities of New York, Philadel-
phia and Boston, when the conservative element of the
country, many of whom had come from Severn and
from Clyde and from the banks of Shannon, were ask-
ing themselves whether the game was worth carrying
on, the news, long delayed, which finally came, that the
French government had decided to assist us, revived
the drooping spirits of the patriots and inspired them
to press on to victory. And at that final struggle at
Yorktown, when the army of Cornwallis was sur-
rounded by that of Washington, out in the bay was
the fleet of De Grasse, and the forces of Rochambeau
were assisting the American Army, the presence of the
French contributing much to the final result.
And so in the war of 1812, while we were doing the
best we could with our improvised army, we had a
friend in France whose wooden walls on sea were suf-
ficient to monopolize the attention of the British fleet.
The traveler in London who passes along the Strand
sees at Trafalgar Square, high over the beating hearts
236 HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
of that great city, the column erected to Nelson, and on
it, leaning against a capstan, the one-armed sailor who
gave his life for his country in the cockpit of the Vic-
tory ; and when one remembers that Nelson’s triumphs
were over the French alone, and what a relief passed
through the hearts of the people of England at the vic-
tory of Trafalgar, we may know that the French were
no mean rivals of the English, even on the seas. And
thus in the war of 1812, when England had to contend
with her ancient rival, as well as with her defiant
daughter across the sea, the double burden was more
than she could withstand.
The events of the war were startling and contra-
dictory. While on the seas the natural quality of the
American sailor asserted itself, and victories were often
obtained over great odds; on the land for the most
part the battles ended in disaster to the American side.
There is one great exception — that of Jackson at New
Orleans — who infused into his hastily recruited sol-
diers something of his indomitable spirit, and won out
a victory with a loss of but thirteen men, while two
thousand of the enemy went down before his guns. In
the history of the world there is scarcely such a record '
for disparity of losses, except in the naval engagements
at Manila and Santiago de Cuba, nearly a hundred
years later, when the American fleets utterly destroyed
the forces of Spain, hundreds of the enemy being
killed or captured, with the loss of but one American
life in both engagements.
At the commencement of hostilities a number of com-
panies in the State offered their services to the Federal
Government, but the national finances were in such a
miserable condition that they could only be accepted
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY. 237
at the charge of the State. In the city of Baltimore
nearly a regiment was sent forward under the com-
mand of Col. Wm. H. Winder, the expense of the com-
mand being defrayed by private subscription, about fif-
teen thousand dollars being raised in this way. Indeed,
the defence of Baltimore, a large city, within forty
miles of the national capital, depended largely on State
aid and private contributions.
In the attack by the British fleet on Fort McHenry,
Captain John A. Webster, of Harford, rendered
valuable service to his country and won well-merited
fame. Captain Webster was born at “The Mount,”
about five miles from Bel Air, on September 19, 1789.
He was the son of Samuel Webster and Margaret
Adams, his wife, the latter, being a member of the
distinguished Adams family of Massachusetts, which
gave two Presidents to the country. The first Web-
sters came to this country early in the eighteenth cen-
tury from England, and settled, Isaac and Richard in
Maryland, Michael in New England, and John in Vir-
ginia, where he was known as John of Roanoke.
Daniel Webster, the great Senator, came from the New
England branch. When fourteen years old Captain
Webster began his life on the sea by sailing for South
America in a merchant vessel, and afterwards made
many voyages to foreign ports. At the beginning of
the war of 1812 he was appointed a third lieutenant by
Commodore Barney on the privateer Rossie, and served
during the whole period of the war.
On the organization of the Flotilla at Baltimore he
was made sailing master in the navy, and had charge
of one of the barges. He was with Commodore Barney
in all his engagements. At the request of General
238 HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
Smith, he was detached from his appointment and
ordered to command the six-gun battery between Forts
McHenry and Covington, and was the first to discover
and open fire on the British ships on the night of Sep-
tember 13, 1814, and remained on duty during the
engagement, though he was twice wounded. In recog-
nition of his services he was presented with two hand-
some gold-mounted swords — one by the State of Mary-
land and the other by the city of Baltimore. The
National Government gave him a pension of twenty
dollars per month and paid for property lost by him.
On March 1, 1816, President Madison appointed him
a sailing master in the United States Navy, in which
position he served for a considerable time, and on
account of his experience and nautical skill he was
frequently assigned to perform important duties out-
side the line of his official position.
On February 8, 1816, he was married to Miss
Rachel Biays, daughter of Col. Joseph Biays, who,
with his brother James, had served in the Revolution.
On November 22, 1819, President Madison issued
Captain Webster a commission as captain in the reve-
nue marine, which position he held at the time of his
death — July 4, 1877.
While in the revenue marine, Captain Webster per-
formed important services, among them being his
command of eight revenue vessels to act with the army
and navy against Vera Cruz and upon the Rio Grande
in the Mexican war.
Captain and Mrs. Webster were the parents of
eleven children, viz: Margaret, the widow of William
R. Bissell, who was killed in command of a com-
pany in Pickett’s charge in the battle of Gettysburg;
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY. 239
Dr. J. Biays Webster, Susan A. Webster, Laura A.,
wife of John C. Patterson; William S. Webster; Jo-
sephine, wife of Dr. William Dallam; John A. Web-
ster, also of the revenue marine service ; Mary A., wife
of Algernon S. Dorsey; Benj. M. Webster; Rachel
Cassandra, wife of Gen. Frank A. Bond, and Isaac P.
Webster.
Captain Webster and his wife lie buried in the family
burying ground at “The Mount.” Harford may be
justly proud of the career of this one of her most dis-
tinguished sons, who was ever ready to respond to the
call of duty, and who spent his life in the service of his
country.
For the defence of Baltimore, Generals Smith, Win-
der and Strieker had assembled of State militia, regular
troops and detachments from Virginia and Pennsylva-
nia about twelve thousand men. The battle of North
Point came off on September 12; the enemy were
checked, and General Ross, the commander, killed. The
attack on Fort McHenry failed, and the British were
forced to retreat.
At the battle of North Point, the Harford Regiment
known as the Forty-second Maryland Militia, under
the command of Col. William Smith, constituted part
of the reserve, and Col. John Streett, with the Harford
cavalry command, was present and participated in the
battle.
As Great Britain was at war with France, then as
now a great naval power, they did not at first prose-
cute vigorously the war in America.
But in December, 1812, the ports and harbors of the
Chesapeake and Delaware bays were declared by the
240 HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
British Government in a state of blockade, and Admi-
ral Cockburn, with a British fleet consisting of four
ships of the line, six frigates and a number of smaller
vessels, entered the Chesapeake and took possession of
Hampton Roads. This force was speedily increased,
and by March of the year 1813, the whole coast was in
a state of blockade, except Rhode Island, Massachusetts
and New Hampshire, which sections had opposed the
war, and on that account were spared by the enemy.
There was no force with which we could oppose this
powerful fleet, as the navy and coast defences had
been neglected by the young government.
Captain John Southcomb, in the schooner Lottery,
with letters of marque, carrying six guns and twenty-
eight men, on February 8, 1813, was attacked by nine
boats of the enemy containing more than two hundred
men. An engagement ensued, lasting two hours and
a half, in which the British loss was more than the
whole number of the crew of the American schooner.
The captain of the Lottery was killed and the vessel
was captured.
In April of the same year the American privateer
schooner Dolphin engaged several vessels of the enemy
at the mouth of the Rappahannock river, but was
defeated and captured. The arrival of the British fleet
spread consternation throughout the State. The State
capital was in a defenseless condition, and the govern-
ment at Washington was unable to furnish aid. The
Governor of the State made repeated demands upon
the Secretary of War for arms and men, but little
assistance came from this source, and the defence of
the State and city of Baltimore was left to themselves.
In the spring of 1813, the British moved up the
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY. 24I
Chesapeake, landing at different points and plundering
wherever they set foot. General Winder made the
best defence of the city of Baltimore possible with his
available means. The channel was obstructed, cannon
mounted, and Colonel Wardsworth, of the United
States engineers, laid off fortifications. The enemy’s
fleet moved off towards the head of the bay.
They plundered Sharp’s, Poole’s, Tilghman’s and
Poplar Islands, and then entered upon their design of
pillaging and destroying the towns and villages at the
head of the bay. On April 29, Lieutenant Westphal,
of the British warship Marlborough, in command of
thirteen barges, with four hundred men, made an
attack on Frenchtown, at the mouth of the Susque-
hanna, in Cecil county. Here they destroyed a num-
ber of small vessels, and the wharves and warehouses.
They next turned their attention to Havre de Grace,
on the other side of the river, in Harford county.
In anticipation of the arrival of the enemy, on a
high bank just below the town, three cannon were
mounted — one nine-pounder and two six-pounders —
and a small battery was erected at Concord Point,
where the lighthouse now stands. Early on the morn-
ing of May 2 the enemy began to bombard the city
without a moment’s warning. Nineteen barges from
the enemy’s squadron appeared before the town and
sent a dreadful fire of shell, shot and rockets. After
a short bombardment the enemy landed and proceeded
to shell the town. Only one house — that of Mr.
Pringle — was left uninjured.
There were a few militia on hand, but they speedily
fled. The story of the sad fate of Havre de Grace
is redeemed by the brave conduct of one of her
242 HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
citizens, John O’Neil, who remained firing the cannon
after all others had fled, and was severely injured by
the recoil of his gun.*
The following is from a contemporaneous account:
“The place, though called a town, contained only a
few warehouses, a tavern, two or three dwelling-
houses, with a few stables and outhouses, deriving its
whole importance from being the 'stopping place’ of
the ‘land and water line of stages between Philadel-
phia and Baltimore.’ On the report of guns we im-
mediately jumped out of our beds, and from the top
of the house could plainly see the balls and hear the
cries of the inhabitants. We ran down the road, and
soon began to meet the distressed people — women and
children half naked; children inquiring for their par-
ents, parents for their children and wives for their
husbands. It appeared to us as if the whole town
was on fire. I think this act, committed without any
previous warning, has degraded the British flag.
“The enemy robbed every house of everything valu-
able that could be carried away, leaving not a change
of raiment to one of ten persons, and whatever they
could not take conveniently they destroyed by cutting
in pieces or breaking to atoms. The Admiral himself
was present at this work of destruction, and gave
orders for it to his officers. Mrs. John Rogers, wife
of the commodore, Mrs. William Pinkney and Mrs.
Goldsborough took shelter at Mr. Mark Pringle’s.
When a detachment was sent up to burn that elegant
building, Mrs. Goldsborough told the officer that she
had an aged mother in it, and begged it might be
spared. The officer replied that he acted under the
*Scharf’s History.
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY. 243
admiral, and it would be necessary to obtain his con-
sent. Mrs. Goldsborough returned with the officer
and detachment and obtained the permission that the
house might be spared; but when she reached it she
found it on fire, and met two men, one with a sheet,
the other with a pillow-case crammed full coming out,
which she could not then notice, but ran upstairs and
found a large wardrobe standing in the passage all
aflame. William Pinkney, who was with her, and
two of the marines by great exertion saved the house ;
but some of the wretches after that took the cover from
the sofa in the front room and put coals in it, and it
was in flames before it was discovered. An officer put
his sword through a large elegant looking glass, at-
tacked the windows and cut out several sashes. They
cut hogs through the back, and some partly through,
and then left them to run. Such wanton barbarity
among civilized people I have never heard of.”*
O’Neill himself has given a graphic account of his
experience on that day : “No doubt before this you have
heard of my defeat. On the third instant we were at-
tacked by fifteen English barges at break of day. We
had a small breastwork erected with two six and one
nine-pounder in it, and I was stationed at one of the
guns. When the alarm was given I ran to the battery
and found but one man there, and two or three came
afterwards. After firing a few shots they retreated
and left me alone in the battery. The grape shot flew
very thick about me. I loaded the gun myself without
any one to serve the vent, which, you know, is very
dangerous, and fired her, when she recoiled and ran
*Scharf’s History.
244 HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
over my thigh. I retreated down to town and joined
Mr. Barnes, of the nail manufactory, with a musket,
and fired on the barges while we had ammunition, and
then retreated to the common, where I kept waving my
hat to the militia, who had run away, to come to our
assistance, but they proved cowardly and would not
come back. At the same time an English officer on
horseback, followed by the marines, rode up and took
me with two muskets in my hand. I was carried on
board the Maidstone frigate, where I remained until
released, three days since.”*
“John O’Neill was born in Ireland on the 23d of No-
vember, 1788, and came to America at the age of
eighteen years. He was in the military service under
Gen. Henry Lee in quelling the whisky insurrection in
1794, and in 1798 entered the naval service against the
French. He became a prosperous merchant at Havre
de Grace and the destruction of the place ruined his
business. When the present lighthouse was built on
Concord Point, in 1829, he became its keeper, and con-
tinued as such until his death, the 26th of January,
1838. For his gallantry at the “Potato Battery” the
city of Philadelphia presented him with a beautiful
sword.” f
In that war there was organized in the lower section
of the county the Forty-second Regiment of militia,
under the command of Col. William Smith.
There are very few old men yet living who remember
Colonel Smith. The time of the organization of this
regiment is not exactly known. From what little light
we have it began in 1813. The last communication to
Colonel Smith from Major Black, brigade inspector,
*Scharf’s History. fScharf’s History.
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY. 245
was on August 24, 1825. Its existence then would be
about twelve years. Patterson’s old fields, on the road
from Havre de Grace to Bush, six or seven miles from
the former place, was the parade ground of the regi-
ment. July 14, 1814, Colonel Smith communicated to
General Foreman that he had called out the Forty-
second Regiment for duty, and had appointed Captains
Ruff, Bradford, Courtney and Sheckles over four com-
panies, consisting of sixty-four privates detached from
the whole regiment. He also stationed a picket guard,
with Major Burkhead, on Strong’s Hill, Gunpowder
Neck, with a sergeant and six privates, having a full
view of the Chesapeake bay from Spesutie Island to
Kent Island, to watch the British. There is no record
of the regiment being at the battle of Havre de Grace,
but it is certain Colonel Smith, with his regiment, was
behind the intrenchments on Loudenslager’s Hill when
General Ross attacked Baltimore, but he was not in
the battle of North Point.
Colonel Smith died from an apoplectic stroke, after
three days illness, on Thursday morning, December
1 7, 1835, faithfully attended by Drs. Gillette and Rob-
ert Archer. He was buried on the farm he owned,
in a private lot, about one hundred yards from the
Churchville road. Smith’s Chapel, built on a part of
this farm, was erected in his memory. He was a
Mason, yet for some reason the Masonic ceremonies
at his grave were delayed till the following April,
when the “Craft assembled accordingly at the house of
Mr. Carvil H. Prigg, in the vicinity of Brother Smith’s
grave, where the lodge was opened in the first degree,
formed in procession and marched to the grave, where
the usual ceremonies were gone through with and an
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
246
appropriate eulogy delivered by Brother Israel D.
Maulsby, after which the lodge returned to Mr. C. H.
Prigg’s and was closed. Those present were I. D.
Maulsby, John Wann, C. D. Bouldin, H. Richardson,
W. I. Mcllhenny, Wm. McC. Jeffery, Robert Miller,
Jas. Miller, T. Welch, S. Welch, E. Morrison, B. M.
Billingslea, M. G. McComas. The visitors were S.
Boyd, T. Courtnay, John Donohoo, Pritchard Loflin,
E. Elliott and J. Ergood.”
The following is a copy of the return of the Forty-
second Regiment of Maryland Militia, as organized by
Brig-Gen. Thomas M. Foreman, commanding the First
Brigade, encamped at Hampstead Hill, commanded by
Col. Wm. Smith :
FIELD OFFICERS.
Lieutenant-Colonel , William Smith, commanding.
Major , Joshua Ward.
Major, George McCausland.
STAFF OFFICERS.
Adjutant , William Richardson.
Quartermaster , James Maxwell.
Paymaster , Benjamin Now land.
Surgeon , Robert H. Archer.
Surgeon's Mate , H. E. Coleman.
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
First Company. — Captain, G. W. Lighter; Lieuten-
ant, John Lynton; Second Lieutenant, James Patter-
son ; Ensign, David Silver. Rifles, sixty-four privates.
Second Company. — Captain, Andrew Smith; Lieu-
tenant, Joseph Ash; Ensign, John Short. Sixty-four
privates.
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
247
Third Company. — Captain, Henry Ruff ; Lieutenant,
Hanson Courtney ; Ensign, Garrett Brown. Sixty-four
privates.
Fourth Company. — Captain Joshua M. Amos; Lieu-
tenant, Thomas Johnson ; Ensign, James Kerr. Fifty-
four privates.
Fifth Company. — Captain, Jacob Michael; Lieuten-
ant, Zach. Kimble.
Sixth Company. — Captain, John Turner ; Lieutenant,
Wm. Amos; Ensign, Philip Doran. Sixty-four pri-
vates.
Seventh Company. — Captain, Jas. Rampley ; Lieuten-
ant, M. Johnson; Ensign, Wm. Amos, of Thos. Sixty-
four privates.
Eighth Company. — Captain, Joshua Amos ; Lieuten-
ant, B. Magness; Ensign, Benj. L. Amos. Sixty-four
privates.
Ninth Company. — Captain, John Smithson ; Lieuten-
ant, Solomon Edy ; Ensign, Thos. L. Richardson.
Sixty-four privates.
Tenth Company. — Captain, John Herbert; Lieuten-
ant, W. G. Dove; Ensign, Edward Saunders. Sixty-
four privates.
Eleventh Company. — Captain, Frederick T. Amos;
Lieutenant, Wm. Forwood ; Ensign, John Nevill. Six-
ty-four privates.
Total number of privates for the eleven companies,
six hundred and ninety-four.
“September 11, 1814. — This day Capt. John B. Bay-
less is permitted to take command of Capt. John Her-
bert’s company by particular request of both parties.”
Ensign David Silver’s brother, Benjamin, was the
father of Benjamin, Jeremiah, John, William, James
248 HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
and Philip Silver. Israel D. Maulsby was the father
of Judge Maulsby, whose portrait hangs in the court-
house. He pronounced the Masonic eulogy at the
grave of Col. Wm. Smith.*
^Historical Address of Dr. B. L. Smith.
CHAPTER XIX.
HAVRE DE GRACE.
ORIGIN OF THE NAME — EARLY DESCRIPTION — ORGANIZATION AS A
TOWN — FIRST TOWN COMMISSIONERS — PROCEEDINGS — RETURNS
OF ELECTION.
The beautiful city at the mouth of the Susquehanna
dates its origin about the time of our Revolutionary
War, as the first mention of the name of which we have
any record is in a letter from Lafayette to General
Washington during the Revolution, and dated at Havre
de Grace. It is almost certain that the first settlers at
Havre de Grace were followers of the rebel Claiborne,
who came here from the Eastern Shore of Maryland.
He is said to have had a factory on Palmer’s Island,
at the mouth of the Susquehanna, where mink, otter,
muskrat, beaver and other skins were purchased from
the Indians and cured preparatory to their shipment to
England.
The settlement continued to grow down to the time
of the formation of the county in 1773-4, at which date
there were nearly two hundred inhabitants. It had no
distinguishing name save that of Susquehanna Lower
Ferry. The origin of the name of Havre de Grace
seems to be involved in considerable obscurity. One
tradition ascribes it to Lafayette, and another to an old
French fisherman, who thought it resembled the har-
bor of that name in France, a view which is said to
250 HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
have been subsequently confirmed by Lafayette. At all
events, we know that the present name of the city was
coincident with the visit of Lafayette. A pamphlet
published in 1795 says: “Havre de Grace at present
consists of about fifty good dwelling-houses; but the
ground plot of the town comprehends eight hundred
and fifty acres which have been laid out in squares in
imitation of the plan of Philadelphia. These squares
are now divided into lots, amounting in the whole to
forty-five hundred. The principal street is one hun-
dred and thirty-two feet wide, and the others seventy.
This town is also situated on the post road leading
through Philadelphia and Baltimore, sixty-five miles
from the former and forty from the latter. The mail
arrived six times a week in its passage to these cities, an
advantage of no small importance.”
The writer gets the distance about four miles too
great to Baltimore, but it is fairly accurate for those
days. Havre de Grace was first incorporated by the
Act of 1785, chapter 55.
The preamble recites that whereas Robert Young
Stokes, deceased, did in his lifetime survey and lay out
into lots a town at the mouth of the Susquehanna, which
he called Havre de Grace, and that it would be to the
interest of the owners of the lots to have an organiza-
tion as a town, with commissioners, etc. The act ap-
points Samuel Hughes, Benedict Edward Hall, Wil-
liam Smith (Bayside), Josias Carvil Hall and Gabriel
Christie, commissioners, and confers the powers cus-
tomary to that day upon the town government.
The first act for the town government named the
commissioners as above stated, and provided for the
annual election of their successors, but this provision
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY. 25 1
was not observed until after the act of 1811, which
directed an annual election, and provided that the coni'
missioners should serve for one year and no longer.
Since that time there have been annual elections in
Havre de Grace. Some of the early commissioners did
not reside in the town. Col. Samuel Hughes, for in-
stance, lived at Mount Pleasant farm, on which Mr.
William P. C. Whitaker lately resided, and at least one
of the Halls named in the record was never a citizen of
the town. The strife for office could not have been
great in those days. There is no town record of those
who composed the board prior to 1800, except that
William Smith was a commissioner in 1799, and
although the name of Smith is one of the most fre-
quently met with, Havre de Grace has never had a
commissioner of that name since 1799.
1800
October 16th the board met.
Commissioners present: Samuel Hughes, Benedict
E. Hall and Gabriel Christie.
Roger Boyce was appointed clerk.
The commissioners then elected by ballot James Hall
as one of their number in place of William Smith,
deceased. The clerk was directed to advertise Market
Space for rent. On November nth Market Space was
set up at public auction and rented to Alexander
Rogers for three years at two hundred dollars per
annum.
1801.
April 7. — Commissioners met at Mrs. Hayward’s
tavern. Present Samuel Hughes, Gabriel Christie and
252 HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
James W. Hall. Renting of streets was postponed.
Mr. Christie resigned his seat as commissioner.
April 14. — Board met. Present Samuel Hughes,
Josias C. Hall and James W. Hall. Abel Murphy was
elected commissioner in place of Gabriel Christy, re-
signed.
The streets were rented as follows :
Lewis street to James W. Hall for $25.
Fayette street to Barney Boyce for $25.
Congress street to Barney Bartol for $25.
Bourbon street to Abel Warple and Barney Boyce
for $25.
Thomas Cofield was to have the preference of the
last two streets if he wanted them.
June 15. — John Dutton was appointed inspector of
lumber, John Kindlemeyer was appointed inspector of
lumber and Roger Boyce inspector of salted provi-
sions.
1802.
March 6. — Board met. Same members, all being
present. Roger Boyce resigned as clerk and William
G. Hands was elected, swearing in before Alexander
Rogers, justice of the peace. The clerk was directed
to apportion, levy and collect the sum of ten pounds
on the property of the citizens of the town agreeable
to the assessment of the county commissioners, whose
valuation shall be his guide and direction.
Samuel Jay was appointed “collector of rents for the
streets,” and Benedict Edward Hall was requested in
his capacity of associate judge of the county to “qual-
ify the officers appointed at last meeting.”
April 6. — Mr. B. E. Hall was appointed to rent the
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
streets, the renters’ rights to extend only fifty feet
back from high-water mark. The clerk was directed
to collect rents due the town, as Mr. Jay had refused
to accept the office.
1803.
Of five commissioners and clerk all were named
Hall, except one, viz : Samuel Hughes.
February 8. — Jonathan Dorsey was appointed to
“execute a supplement to the act entitled an act to
prevent the going at large of geese and swine in the
town of Havre de Grace.”
John Dutton and William McCaskey were appointed
assessors of the property of the inhabitants of the town.
April 22. — Present S. Hughes, B. E. Hall and J. W.
Hall. These commissioners proceed to sign their
bond to the State of Maryland for the performance of
their duties as managers of the Havre de Grace lottery,
“for the point of which the following arrangement was
made at the joint risque of the commissioners: That
the secretary be authorized to deliver any number of
tickets under the direction in writing of any of the
commissioners, taking down whatever number deliv-
ered and to whom.”
William McCaskey was inspector of flour and quali-
fied before B. E. Hall, judge.
August 5. — It was resolved “that each commissioner
take three hundred lottery tickets, with fifty of them
each are to be charged on their own account ; the rest
they are to sell, if possible; if not, to be returned.”
The clerk was directed to deliver Captain Boyce one
book of tickets, and to advertise that the drawing of
254 HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
the Havre de Grace lottery will commence on the first
of November next.
Here there seems to have been an interruption of the
proceedings. The next record is dated April 2, 1806,
and is a different hand writing. Barrick Williams was
probably clerk from 1806 until 1809. The proceedings
continue.
1806.
April 2. — Present Roger Boyce, Samuel Jay, Gabriel
Christie, who qualified according to law.
Roger Boyce was appointed inspector of fish and
salted provisions for this district.
June 11. — The board met and ordered the constable
of the town to “summon a sufficient number of the
male inhabitants of the town of Havre de Grace to
remove a nuisance accompanied by the fish troughs of
Christian Hoopman, on the morning of the 12th of
June instant, agreeable to the form of the Act of
Assembly made and provided.”
1807.
April 15. — The clerk was ordered to advertise Mar-
ket Space and the fisheries on adjoining streets for
rent.
(This was the only meeting held this year, according
to the record.)
1808.
(There is no record of any meeting this year.)
1809.
March 31. — Present B. E. Hall, Roger Boyce, Sam-
uel Jay. It was resolved “that Gabriel Christie being
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY. 255
dead and Able Marple having withdrawn from his resi-
dence to parts beyond the sea, the commissioners pro-
ceed to fill up the vacancies, and have appointed
Aquila Hall and Capt. Bennet Barnes, agreeably to
the powers in them vested.”
April 1. — Present the full board. (We copy the fol-
lowing entry verbatim :)
“And in pursuance of Powers vested in them by
Law, to raise the sum of 5000 dollars, clear of all ex-
penses, by Lottery, and having by experience found the
total impracticability of effecting it in this place, and
conceiving that they are within the spirit and Letter of
the Law, have and do now give full power and ample
authority to Samuel Hughes and Mark Pringle, Esqrs.,
to negotiate with Lottery Brokers or others in the city
of Baltimore, any plan or scheme which may be law-
fully done, under the authority of the Commissioners
to raise the above sum of 5000 drs. clear of all charges.
Any person or persons with whom the said Samuel
Hughes and Mark Pringle may contract with, shall
give bond, with security, to be approved by the Com-
missioners, to pay the prizes to the fortunate Adven-
turers, and all the expenses of the Lottery, as well as
the sum of 5000 drs., to the Commissioners, clear of all
expenses.”
(There are entries of meetings on April 4, April 8,
April 15 and April 17, all at Mrs. Sears’ tavern, but
no business was transacted.)
July 8. — Present, “the whole body.” The clerk was
directed to notify Mr. Cornelius Chandlee, in writing,
to remove “a nuisance” from his premises within one
month. (This “nuisance” was occasioned by stagnant
water in Mr. Chandlee’s cellar.)
256 HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
September 23. — Mr. George Poe, of Baltimore, was
directed to be sued for amount of rent due the town.
September 27. — Present, Messrs. Barnes, A. Hall,
Jay and Boyce. The following was adopted :
“ Resolved , That whereas the said Commissioners did
heretofore authorize and empower Samuel Hughes and
Mark Pringle, Esqrs., to contract for the drawing of
the Lottery for Havre de Grace, that the said Samuel
Hughes and Mark Pringle be and are hereby author-
ized and empowered to pay as much of the proceeds of
said lottery into the hands of Samuel Hughes, Mark
Pringle, Paca Smith, William B. Stokes and Aquila
Hall, as shall reimburse them for any sum or sums of
Money, with interest, which they have or may hereafter
advance for the purpose of Erecting a Church in the
Parish of Havre de Grace, or so much thereof as they
may not have been otherwise reimbursed by other ways
and means.”
The secretary was directed to advertise “that the law
to prevent Hogs and Geese from going at large in the
town will positively be put in force on the first day of
December next.”
December 28. — Present, Messrs. Boyce, A. Plall,
Barnes and Jay.
Public property was rented, as follows: Market
Space to Jacob Poe at $100 per annum; Bourbon street
to Christian Hoopman at $25 per annum; Lafayette
street to John K. Meyers at $20 per annum.
1810.
January 28. — The Board met. Present Roger Boyce,
Samuel Jay and Bennet Barnes.
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY. 257
After paying Barrick Williams $80 for services ren-
dered as a clerk it was found that there was cash on
hand and held by private persons, available funds to
the amount of $713. Samuel Jay was appointed to col-
lect this money, and the following resolutions were
adopted :
“ Resolved , That the above sum of $713 be and is
hereby appropriated for the purpose of erecting a mar-
ket-house in Havre de Grace.
“Resolved, That Aquila Hall, Roger Boyce and Ben-
net Barnes be and they are hereby appointed and em-
powered to adopt a plan to fix upon a scite (the most
eligible, in their judgment, on any of the public
grounds or streets), for the erecting of said market-
house, and to receive proposals, and to contract for
building of the same.
“Resolved, That any surplus Monies remaining in
the hands of the Treasurer after the Cost and Expense
of Building the Market-house be deducted, be, and the
same is, hereby appropriated as a Fund towards Erect-
ing a Schoolhouse in Havre de Grace, and that the
said Aquila Hall, Roger Boyce and Bennet Barnes be
and are hereby appointed and empowered to adopt a
plan, fix on a scite, Receive proposals and contract for
the Building of the said Schoolhouse.
“Resolved, That a subscription be opened for the pur-
pose of adding to the funds for Building a Market-
house, and that the several sums so subscribed for the
same be made payable to the Treasurer.”
The clerk, Barrick Williams, then resigned his office,
and the Board of 1810 adjourned sine die.
258 HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
l8ll.
There is no record of there having been a board of
commissioners in this year. No meeting was held.
1812.
In pursuance of powers vested in them by an act of
the Legislature, passed in 1811, the legal voters of the
town met on the first Monday in January of this year,
and, after choosing judges to conduct the same, held
an election for town commissioners. We have not the
returns of this election, but know that Messrs. William
Coale, Joshua Green, John Milhoof, John Donn and
William B. Stokes were the gentlemen chosen. It may
be mentioned here also that for several years after this
the voters assembled at the polls upon election day and
chose their own judges, while the clerk to the com-
missioners acted as clerk of the election. Before the
town schoolhouse was built, the elections were held at
different places — sometimes at Mr. James O’Brien’s
schoolroom, sometimes at “Mr. Coale’s preaching-
room” and elsewhere.
The gentlemen named above met on April 11, and
organized by electing James O’Brien clerk.
On April 14 St. Claire street was rented to Thomas
Courtney at $5 per year.
September 15. — Board met and took measures to col-
lect money due the town.
The clerk was directed to “furnish to the commis-
sioners by the first day of November an accurate state-
ment of the free males, residents of the town, alphabeti-
cally arranged.”
An ordinance was passed forbidding all persons from
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY. 259
enclosing any part of the streets, lanes or alleys of the
town.
Also an ordinance forbidding all persons from dig-
ging or taking away any earth, sand or gravel stones
from any of the streets, lanes or alleys, under a penalty
of $5.
October 12. — An ordinance was passed forbidding
the discharge of firearms within the limits of the town,
under a penalty of 50 cents for each offence, the prohibi-
tion not to apply to the shooting of ducks or other wild
fowl “sitting on or flying over the waters in front of
the shores of the town/’
December 31. — After auditing the books it was
ascertained that the whole amount in the treasurer’s
hands, and due the town from other persons, was
$570.75-
1813.
For the first time we are able to give the returns of
a Havre de Grace election. William Coale received 49
votes; John Donn, 49; Joshua Green, 47; William B.
Stokes, 39; Joshua Millhoof, 27; Thomas Courtney,
21 ; James Wood, 18; Charles Foreman, 1 ; John Dut-
ton, 1 ; Platt Whitaker,—-. The first five named were
elected, who organized March 20 by electing James
O’Brien clerk and Joshua Green treasurer. On April
1 the streets, etc., of the town were rented at public
auction until the first of the following January, as
follows :
All the land in the addition to Havre de Grace,
south of Revolution street, to Mark Pringle, for $19;
St. Claire street to Thomas Brown for $5 ; Fountain
and Revolution streets and Market Space were rented
260 HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
together to Jacob Poe for $66.66 2-3 ; Lafayette street
to William Coale for $14; Concord street to Thomas
Courtney for $3.33 1-3 ; Bourbon street to Jacob Poe
for $13.66 2-3.
No further business during the year, except paying
the clerk $25 salary.
1814.
The election this year resulted as follows : William
Coale, 32; James Wood, 31 ; John Donn, 29; William
B. Stokes, 25; Henry Carver, 17; John Warehan, 3;
John Donahue, 3; John McKinney, 1 ; John Crawford,
2 ; Nicholas Suter, 1 ; William Bell, 1 ; Ben Hobbs, 1 ;
Andrew Rhoads, 1 ; Charles Johnson, 1 ; James Wat-
kins, 1 ; Chris. Levy, 1 ; William McCaskey, 1 ; Joshua
Green, 1 ; Thomas Chandlee, 1 ; George Bartol, 1.
Mr. O’Brien was continued as clerk, and on June 25
was directed to write to John Love, Esq., engaging him
to “run out the town.” John Donn and James Wood
were appointed to “hire chain carriers, procure stones
and to have the same set up at the four corners of each
and every square as soon as the said corners are ascer-
tained.” The clerk was paid $25, as part of his year’s
salary, and all the money remaining in the treasurer’s
hands was pledged to pay for the survey and marking
as above ordered.
1815.
At the election this year John Donn received 22
votes; William Coale, 20; William B. Stokes, 18;
Henry Carver, 16; Thomas Courtney, 15 ; James Wood,
14 ; John Donahue, 1 ; Joshua Green, 1 ; Thomas
Chandlee, 1 ; Ben. Ward, 1 ; Benjamin Chandlee, 1.
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
26l
On January 7 James O’Brien was re-elected clerk.
Joshua Green resigned as treasurer, and John Donn
was elected to that office.
May 27. — Thomas Courtney offered to furnish the
six hundred stones for the street corners at fifteen cents
each, and his bid was accepted. On September 1 1 Mr.
Courtney was authorized to “haul, set up the stones and
dig the holes” for the corner-stones at eight cents each.
Market Space and all the streets and alleys intersect-
ing it was rented to John Donn for seven years at $283
per annum.
Note— Capt. C. A. Conner furnished the data for the aforegoing ske tch o
Havre de Grace.
CHAPTER XX.
MISCELLANEOUS.
HARFORD PENSIONERS FROM THE REVOLUTION — SOLICITORS OF SUB-
SCRIPTION TO ASSOCIATION OF FREEMEN OF MARYLAND-
EARLY IRON WORKS — GOVERNOR PACA AND GOVERNOR BRAD-
FORD—HARFORD MILITIA COMPANIES — HARFORD STATISTICS,
1798 — COURT OFFICERS AND JURIES, l800 — SAME, 1803-1806 —
NUNCUPATIVE WILL OF JOSEPH BUTLER, LIEUTENANT IN
Smallwood's regiment, killed at battle of long island
— MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE OF JOHN WORTHINGTON AND PRIS-
CILLA WILSON, 1769 — MY LADY'S MANOR— BEL AIR ACADEMY.
There were in Harford county by the census of 1840
ten persons drawing pensions as soldiers of the Revo-
lutionary War. They were Andrew McAdow, Jarret
Tracey, Thomas Schivington, William Sloan, Henry
Long, John Heaps and Archibald Heaps.
The following named persons were designated by the
Harford Committee to solicit subscriptions to the Asso-
ciation of the Freemen of Maryland, viz :
Deer Creek Upper — John Donohoo, Wm. Fisher, Jr.,
and Alex. Rigdon.
Deer Creek Lower — John Winston Dallam.
Bush Upper — William McComas, Jr., John Kean
and Robert Harris.
Spesutie Upper — James Moores, (tanner), Bennet
Mathews, James Clendenin and David Clark.
Spesutie Lower — Edward Hall, Jacob For wood,
Francis Holland.
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY. 263
Susquehanna — Janies Horner, John Rodgers, John
Rumsey, Samuel Howell and Samuel Bayless.
Gunpowder Lower — Henry Wetherall, John Day,
Jr., John Durham, Alex. Cowan, Benjamin Rumsey.
Bush Lower — John Taylor, Gabriel Vanhorn, Wil-
liam Bond, Henry Wilson, Jr.
(From a detached paper from the clerk’s office,
17760
A List of Non-Associators.
Benj. Herbert, Jr., refuses to sign through relig-
ious principles.
Richard Hargrove refuses to sign through religious
principles.
William Wilson, son of John, refuses to sign through
religious principles.
Benj. Harboard refuses to sign through religious
principles.
Michael Bocer don’t sign by reason he signed before.
Thomas Gilbert don’t sign by reason he don’t choose
it.
Thos. West don’t sign by reason it is a mystery to
him.
Philip Cummins don’t sign by reason he don’t under-
stand the matter.
John Ward don’t sign by reason the Congress don’t
sign and by reason he thinks that if the English gain
the day then the Congress and the great people will
turn the scale and say the commonality of people force
them to stand in opposition to the English.
John Clark don’t sign by no reason he can give.
Ephraim Arnold don’t sign for fear it would fetch
him into a scrape.
264 HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
Isaac Penrose don’t sign for reason he don’t choose
to fight for liberty and never will.
Benjamin Fleetwood refuses to sign. He says he
will go in a vessel, but will not fight by land.
Samuel Gallion says if he should sign he may fetch
on himself that he cannot go through.
Richard Spencer says he cannot write nor read, and
shall not sign any paper.
At Stafford, at the mouth of Deer Creek, was located
an iron forge before the Revolution. It was erected
by George Rock in the year 1749, and the same year it
passed into the ownership of Onion & Lawson.
Stephen Onion was one of the pioneer ironmakers in
this country, and was instrumental in the erection of
the Principio Iron Works. He came from Stafford-
shire, in England, and as the name Stafford dates from
this period it is supposed Onion applied it out of com-
pliment to his native shire in England.
Col. Thomas White and Thomas Harrison pur-
chased the forge in April, 1750, from Lawson & Onion,
and two years later Harrison bought out his partner.
John Stump, of Stafford, purchased the forge
August 19, 1782, and operated it a number of years.
There were iron works called the Lancaster Forge,
on Deer Creek, near Priestford, a few years before the
Revolution.
In the old days there were iron works all along Deer
Creek. Redrum, Lancaster, Rock, Cumberland, Not-
tingham and Lebanon were the names of some of them.
William Bradford, the first of the family in Harford
county, married Elizabeth Lightbody. These two and
Aquila Paca and Martha, his wife, were near neighbors
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY. 265
and intimate friends, the families living within a mile
of each other, in the neighborhood of Bush. The will
of Aquila Paca was witnessed by William Bradford,
who appears to have been the adviser of the widow
Martha after Aquila’s death. In the will of Martha
Paca she uses the expression, “my good friend William
Bradford,” and leaves mementoes to him, his wife and
daughters, they being the only persons mentioned in
the will outside of the Paca family. The above is only
given to show a curious coincidence: The only two
Governors of Maryland born on Harford soil were
William Paca and Augustus W. Bradford, the one the
grandson of Aquila and Martha Paca, and the other
the great-grandson of William Bradford. These fami-
lies are thus connected in an interesting way. In the
first instance, by their close association before the
Revolution, and secondly, by the same distinguished
honor having been conferred on these two descendants.
LIST OF HARFORD MILITIA COMPANIES.
A list of the companies on the north side of Deer
creek, in Harford county, formed and returned to this
committee :
William Webb, Captain.
Ignatius Wheeler, ist Lieutenant.
William Fisher, 2d Lieutenant.
Samuel Webb, Jr., Ensign.
Seventy-four privates.
Date of enrollment, 14th day of October, 1775.
John Patrick, Captain.
Winston Dallam, ist Lieutenant.
Samuel Barley, 2d Lieutenant.
266 HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
Richard Ward, Ensign.
Fifty-five privates.
Date of enrollment, the ist day of April, 1776.
John Jolly, Captain.
John Montgomery, ist Lieutenant.
James Wilson, 2d Lieutenant.
James Thomas, Ensign.
Fifty-five privates.
Date of enrollment, the 10th day of March, 1776.
“ Sirs — The foregoing Companies are the only ones
formed since the last return. We expect a Company
or two more will be formed, which with the one or two
more already enrolled, but not yet formed in Batalion,
will make six Independent Companies situated so they
may be formed in Batalla ; which we will report as soon
as they are all enrolled: I am Gentn Yr most Hb.
Servt Amos Garret Chairman of the Committee.”
Memorandum of militia officers who have not their
commissions :
Captain, Samuel Calwell.
Thos Hutchinson, ist Lieutenant.
Commissions issued to Samuel Calwell, appointed
captain; Thomas Hutchins ist lieutenant and Joseph
Lewis 2d lieutenant, of a company of militia in Harford
county belonging to the 8th Battalion.
Also to James McComas, appointed captain; Benja-
min Scott, ist lieutenant; Martin Preston, 2d lieuten-
ant, and James Steele, ensign, of a company of militia
in said county belonging to the said battalion.
Also to Bennet Bussey, appointed captain; Joseph
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY. 267
Miles, 1st lieutenant; Azael Hitchcock, Jr., 2d lieuten-
ant, and Joseph Amos, ensign, of a company of militia
of said battalion.
Also to Robert Harris, appointed captain; William
Coale, 1st lieutenant, William Downes, 2d lieutenant,
and Joshua Renshaw, Jr., ensign, of a company in
same battalion.
Also to James St. Clair, appointed 2d lieutenant of
Capt. William McComas’ company of militia in said
county.
Also to Alexander Cowen, appointed captain; John
Beale Howard, 1st lieutenant; Samuel Groome Os-
borne, 2d lieutenant, and Lambert Wilmer, ensign, of
a company of militia in said county.
Also to William Webb, appointed captain ; Ignatius
Wheeler, 1st lieutenant; William Fisher, 2d lieutenant,
and Samuel Webb, Jr., ensign, of a company of militia
in said county.
Also to John Patrick, appointed captain ; Winston
Dallam, 1st lieutenant; Samuel Bailey, 2d lieutenant,
and Richard Ward, ensign, of a company of militia in
said county.
Also to John Jolley, appointed captain; John Mont-
gomery, 1st lieutenant; James Wilson, 2d lieutenant,
and James Thomas, ensign, of a company of militia
in said county. —Archives of Maryland.
James McComas, Captain.
Benjamin Scott, 1st Lieutenant.
Joseph Lewis, 2d Lieutenant.
Martin Preston, 2d Lieutenant.
James Steel, Ensign.
268
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
Bennet Bussey, Captain.
Joshua Miles, ist Lieutenant.
Azael Hitchcock, Jr., 2d Lieutenant.
Joshua Amos of James, Ensign.
Robert Harris, Captain.
William Coale, ist Lieutenant.
William Downes, 2d Lieutenant.
Joseph Renshaw, Jr., Ensign.
In Captain William McComas’ company James Sink-
cleare is appointed 2d lieutenant.
Alexander Co wen. Captain.
John Beale Howard, ist Lieutenant.
Samuel Groome Osborne, 2d Lieutenant.
Lambert Wilmer, Ensign.
— Archives of Maryland.
In 1798 Harford contained, according to Scott’s
Gazetteer, fifteen thousand inhabitants, two Episcopal
churches and two chapels, two Presbyterian churches,
one Catholic, one Baptist, six Methodist and three
Quaker meeting houses.
Bel Air, in 1798, contained one hundred and fifty-
seven inhabitants, of whom thirty-six were black; one
Methodist meeting house, four licensed inns, court-
house, jail, three stores, two blacksmith shops, two
joiners, one chairmaker, one shoemaker, one wheel-
wright, one tailor.
Harford Town, situated at the head of Bush river,
seven miles southeast of Bel Air, contained, in 1798,
sixteen dwellings, one hundred and thirty inhabitants,
merchant mill, tan yard, coopers, wheelwright and
blacksmith shops, two stores, two taverns.
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
269
Abingdon, in 1798, contained fifty-one dwellings and
two hundred and forty inhabitants, of whom sixty-six
were black ; eight stores, several mechanical shops, one
tan yard, two schoolhouses, a Methodist church. Cokes-
bury College, established by the Methodists in 1785,
was burned in 1796.
Havre de Grace contained, in 1798, about forty
houses and two hundred and fifty inhabitants.
The prosperity of the county has been derived prin-
cipally from agriculture, and the general appearance
shows a progressive improvement.*
In the year 1800 Henry Ridgely was chief judge of
the Circuit Court and Benedict Edward Hall and Wil-
liam Smithson were associate justices. Robert Amos,
Jr., was sheriff. John Lee Gibson, clerk. The grand
jury for the August term consisted of:
William Loney,
Benjamin Amos,
Barnet Johnson,
William Billingslea,
John Scarff,
James Trapnejl,
John Glenn,
Abraham White,
Thomas Hope,
Benjamin Richardson,
James Amos of Robert,
Joseph Prigg,
Petit Jury —
Edward Prall,
George McCausland,
Thos. W. Ayres,
Mordecai Amos, Jr.,
John Weston,
Aquila Miles,
Davis Durham,
James Varney,
John McComas of Daniel,
John Cooley,
Stephen Rigdon,
William Norris,
Nathaniel Grafton,
Josias W. Dallam,
John Diven, Bailiff.
John Love,
Josias Hall,
Frisley Dorsey,
*Scott’s Gazetteer.
2yo
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
Michael Gilbert,
Wm. Prigg, Jr.,
William Clark, Jr.,
Joshua Wood,
James McComas of
Jacob Rutledge,
Dennis Bond,
Thomas Taylor,
Winston Smith,
Archer Hayes,
James Thompson,
James Car Ion,
Buckler Bond,
Godfrey Watters,
i, Robert Gover,
James Barnet, Sr.,
Joshua Green,
James Johnson,
Seth wick James,
At the term of the Circuit Court, commencing the
third Monday of March, 1803, there were present:
Benedict Edward Hall and William Smithson, judges ;
Henry Dorsey, clerk; John Churchman Bond, sheriff.
Grand Jury —
Josias William Dallam,
John Grindall,
John Ford,
George Cunningham,
William Lindsay,
David Crane,
James Barnet, Sr.,
James Fullerton,
John Green,
Barnet Johnson,
Joseph Everist,
George Walker,
Petit Jury —
George Bradford,
Nathaniel McComas,
Mordecai Amoss,
John Forwood,
James McClaskey,
William Magness,
William Billingslea,
Matthew Burkhead,
Abraham White,
William McMath,
Richard Hutchins,
William Frisby,
Benjamin Bosley,
William Holloway,
Paca Smith.
Daniel McComas, Bailiff.
Zaccheus O. Bond,
George McCausland,
William Norris of John,
Benjamin Pritchard,
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
271
John Barclay, Benedict Hall, Jr.,
Samuel Webster of Rich’d, Richard Dallam,
Godfrey Watters, Thomas Wright,
Samuel Bradford,
Moses Magness,
William Welch,
Parker H. Lee,
Isaac Hitchcock,
Thomas S. Bond,
Benjamin Green,
Billingslea Bull,
James Amoss of James,
Daniel Scott,
Nathaniel Smithson.
August Term of Court , 1806.
Present: Joseph Hopper Nicholson, chief judge;
Henry Dorsey, clerk ; John Guyton, sheriff.
Grand Jury —
John Forwood,
Andrew McAdow,
John Mitchell,
David McClaskey,
John Hanna,
Benjamin Rigdon,
John Vandegrift,
John Clark,
John Yellott,
Isaac Henry,
John Evatt,
William Sheckler,
Petit Jury —
Isaac Perryman,
George Presbury,
William Allen,
Henry Scharff,
David Durham,
Roger Matthews,
Matthew Birkhead,
James Amoss, Jr.,
John Foard,
Arnold Rush,
James Enloes,
Robert Gover,
Josias Carten,
John Clendenin,
William Glenn,
Alexander Thompson,
James Lee,
Daniel McComas, Bailiff.
Edward Griffith,
John Cooley,
John Henderson,
Thomas Jeffrey,
James Montgomery,
Henry Dennison,
Richard Hopkins,
272
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
Benjamin Bosley,
Aquila Nelson,
William B. Stokes,
John Davis,
Matthew Cain,
John McComas, Jr.,
Thomas Taylor,
Edward Prigg,
Isaac Kennard,
John Ashton,
James Pampley,
John Bay,
Archer Hays.
Will of Joseph Butler, Clerk to the Revolutionary Com-
mittee of Harford County.
Will Records of Harford county, Liber A. J. No. R/
folio 217.
August 27, 1776, when Colonel Smallwood’s Regi-
ment was drawn up on Long Island in expectation to
engage the enemy, Lieut. Joseph Butler called Ensign
Praul and myself out of the ranks, and desired we
would remember if he should be so unfortunate as to be
killed that it was his desire that his brother or half
brother should have his estate, after paying what debts
might justly appear against him, should he ever come
for it. He signified at the time that he did not know
where his brother was, or whether he would ever apply,
as he had not heard from him for some time, and if he
should not apply that Miss Sarah Hall should be pos-
sessed of the whole estate, after paying any lawful
claims, and that Mr. John Patterson should be his
executor* Joseph Ford.
On the 17th of October, 1777, Capt. Joseph Ford
made oath to the truth of the foregoing. Certified by
Bendt. Edw. Hall.
Letters testamentary on this will were granted by
the Orphans’ Court of Harford county on April 3,
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY 273
1778, to John Patterson, executor, on whose bond
George Patterson and Gabriel Christie were securities.
An Old Marriage Certificate, 1769.
Whereas John Worthington, son of Charles Worth-
ington of Deer Creek, & Priscilla Wilson Daughter of
Henry & Priscilla Wilson of little Fawls Baltimore
County and Province of Maryland Having declared
their Intention of Marriage with each other before
Several Monthly Meetings of the Christian people
called Quakers at Gunpowder and province aforesaid
According to the Good Order used among them and
having Consent of parents and Relations concerned
Their said proposals of Marriage was allowed of by the
Said Meetings.
Now these are to certifie to whom it may Concern
that for the full accomplishing their said Intention this
Seventh Day of ye eleventh Month in the year of our
Lord One Thousand seven hundred & Sixty-nine The
said John Worthington and Priscilla Wilson appearing
in publick Meeting of the Said people for that pur-
pose appointed at Little Fawls aforesaid And the Said
John Worthington taking the said Priscilla Wilson by
the hand did in Solemn manner Openly declare that he
took her the Said Priscilla Wilson to be his Wife prom-
ising Through Divine Assistance to be unto her a lov-
ing and faithful Husband until Death And
then and in the said Assembly She the Said Priscilla
Wilson did in like manner declare That She took the
Said John Worthington to be her husband promising
through divine Assistance to be unto him a Loving and
Faithful Wife till Death.
And Moreover the Said John Worthington and Pris-
cilla Wilson She according to the Custom of Marriage
Assuming the Name of her Husband as a further Con-
fermation thereof Did then there to these present Sett
their hands and we whose Names are hereunto also
Subscribed being present at the Solemnization of the
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
274
said Marriage and Subscription Have as Witnesses
Thereunto Sett our Hands the Day & Year above
Written.
Joseph Hall,
Skipwith Coale,
Janes Giles,
William Wilson, Jr.,
Joseph Finley,
William Amos,
Peter Perine,
Robert Dutton,
B. Howard,
Mary Howard,
Martha Amos,
Rachael Wilson,
Cassandra Lee,
Cassandra Gover,
Ann Hopkins,
Sarah Coale,
Mary Lee,
MY LADY’S MANOR.
It was the intention of the Calverts to found in
Maryland a landed aristocracy. Though the “Bill for
Baronies” never passed the Assembly, yet manors were
established and certain rights of jurisdiction over their
tenants were given to the manorial lords.
The proprietary in 1636 issued instructions that
every two thousand acres given to any one should be
erected into a manor, and hence we frequently find a
grant followed by the setting up of a “Court Baron
and a Court Leet.” The Manor of Evelin, in St.
Mary’s county; Great Oak Manor, in Kent; Susque-
hanna Manor, in Cecil county ; these were well known
in their day.
Elizabeth Amoss,
Joseph Hopkins,
Elihu Hall, Jr.,
Hannah Bell,
Sarah Busey,
H. Worthington,
Priscilla Worthington,
Prisa Wilson,
Henry Wilson, Jr.,
Cassandra Wilson,
Chas. Worthington, Jr.,
Samuel Worthington,
Mary Wilson,
Hannah Fulton,
Elizabeth Dutton,
Mary Dawes.
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY. 275
From this early desire to establish a manorial system
sprang the custom of calling large estates manors. My
Lady’s Manor, which is partly in Harford county,
retains its name to the present time, though the original
tract has been subdivided many times and parceled out
into fertile farms, now cultivated by numerous owners.
My Lady’s Manor was at one time a vast tract, con-
sisting of ten thousand acres. It was formerly known
as Lord Baltimore’s Gift, and was owned by Margaret,
Lady Baroness of Baltimore, wife of Charles, Lord
Baltimore, having been given to her by patent, dated
the tenth day of September, 1713. Lady Margaret died
in 1 73 1, and in her will left Lord Baltimore’s Gift to her
granddaughter, Charlotte Brerewood, wife of Thomas
Brerewood, Jr., of Horton, in the County of Bucks,
England. Thomas Brerewood, the younger, was ap-
parently heavily involved in his financial affairs, and
in August of 1731 Lady Charlotte joined him in a deed
of trust for the benefit of his creditors, in which Lord
Baltimore’s Gift was conveyed to Thomas Brerewood,
Sr., the father of her husband. Thus began the disin-
tegration of Lord Baltimore’s Gift. From this time on
small portions were conveyed by Thomas Brerewood,
Sr., to creditors of his son in payment of his debts ;
and future conveyances, while still mentioning the fact
that the land being conveyed was a part of the tract of
ten thousand acres called Lord Baltimore’s Gift, yet
now add: “More commonly, My Lady’s Manner.”
Lord Baltimore’s Gift was located upon the “Main
Falls” of Gunpowder river, adjoining “Clyumalyra,”
a tract which was owned by Charles Carroll. It ex-
tended a considerable distance northwardly, a portion
being in what is now the Fourth Election District of
276 HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
Harford county, in the section of Taylor, Hess, Sarah
Furnace, &c.
Colonel Thomas White surveyed My Lady’s Manor
August 26, 1713, 10,000 acres.
Named in the plat, The Right Honorable Margaret
Baroness of Baltimore, her manor in the Fork of the
Gunpowder.
Bel Air Academy.
By an Act of the Legislature, passed January 7, 1812,
there was authorized the erection of the Harford
County Academy. Subscriptions were taken up and a
building constructed. This is the building on Hickory
avenue, in Bel Air, which until very recently has been
used for school purposes.
The trustees named in the act were Thomas Hope,
David Streett, Joshua Rutledge, John Moores, William
Smith of Samuel, Henry Dorsey, Dr. Hugh Whiteford,
John Streett, John Forwood, William Wilson, Mat-
thew Hawkins, James Weatherall, Elijah Davis, John
Jolly and Paca Smith.
It was first opened as a school in 1815, and in 1816
the Legislature voted for it the sum of five hundred
dollars annually, which is still paid the trustees, the
school being now connected with the public school of
Bel Air, the title being the Bel Air Academy and
Graded School. Recently the old academy building
has been turned into a dwelling-house, but stands as
strong and firm now as if only one year instead of
nearly a hundred had passed along. Rev. Reuben H.
Davis was the first principal of the academy, and many
of the leading men of Harford were his pupils. On
December 26, 1839, Mr. Thomas A. Hays conveyed to
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY. 277
the trustees the lot on which the academy stands. Liber
H. D. No. 23, folio 136.
APPENDIX
MINUTES OF THE HARFORD COUNTY COMMITTEES BE-
FORE AND DURING THE REVOLUTION.
I774-
Amos Garret, Capt. Bennet Matthews, Freeborn
Brown, William Webb, William Young & adjourned to
Thursday the 2 (2nd) Dec.
At a special meeting of the committee held in Har-
ford Town on Thursday the 8th of Dec. — Present
Aquila Hall in the Chair, Benjamin Rumsey, Thomas
Johnson, Edward Hall, William Young, Isaac Holmes
& Freeborn Browne.
Mr. William Young, one of this committee appeared
before the same and informed this Committee he had
bought abt 150 lbs. of Tea in a barrel from Mr. Joseph
McGuffin of Baltimore Town which had not paid the
duty in his opinion and likewise certificate under the
hand of the said McGuffin that the said tea had been
imported into America without having paid any duty at
the same time statement by Mr. James Holmes that Mr.
McGuffin had an exceedingly just & honest character
& that faith and credit ought in his opinion to be given
the certificate & the said William Young offered to give
any other Testimony more satisfactory to this com-
mittee that they should direct and forbear selling
he gave complete satisfaction.
Resolved by the Committee that the fair open & can-
did behavior of the said William Young accompanied
by the said certificate & evidence of one of this com-
mittee is satisfactory to the same & that the said Wil-
liam Young be permitted to so long as the same
be not forbid by the Resolve of the Continental Con-
gress.
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY. 279
At a meeting of the Committee on Thursday the
22nd as per adjournment The following Gentlemen
present: Capt. John Matthews, Capt. John Paca, Amos
Garret, Aquila Hall, Benjamin Rumsey, William Smith,
Bayside, Jeremiah Sheredine, Freeborn Browne, Rob-
ert Lemon, Francis Holland, Aquila Paca, Jacob
Giles Senr., James Harris, Edmund Bull, Isaac Web-
ster, Richard Dallam, John Beale Howard, Thomas
Johnson, Thomas Bond, son Thos., Benedict Edward
Hall, John Taylor, William Smithson, Jacob Giles,
Senr., on a motion for a chairman Capt. John Mat-
thews was chosen. Dr. John Archer, Edwd. Prall,
William Bond, son Joshua J. Bond, George Bradford,
Bennet Mathews.
Resolved
That William Young of Harford Town, John Car-
lisle of Swan, John Beale Howard of Joppa, Nathaniel
Giles, James Ogleby, Amos Garret, James Holmes and
William Bond each and every of them receive
the contribution subscribed for the Relief of the Poor
of the Town of Boston either in money or produce as
shall be most agreeable to the subscribers & that the
above named gentlemen do deliver the said contribu-
tion so received to Mr. Aquila Hall who is appointed
for that purpose & that he act with this Committee &
that the clerk transmit a copy of this resolve to each
of the gentlemen above appointed with a copy of the
subscriptions.
Resolved
That a summons be issued desiring Mr. John Wil-
son’s presence before this Committee on the 2nd day of
Jan’y next to give an account of his conduct respecting
a certain pamphlet printed in New York tending to
inquire the political interest of America by disuniting
the colonies.
This Committee having received sufficient evidence
that a quantity of Tea the property of Robert Trimble
which had been lately seized in Joppa by the oath of
Joseph McGuffin from whom it was purchased that the
2&D HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
same had paid no Duty to his knowledge Resolved That
the said Robert Trimble be permitted to take and rend
the said Tea if consistent with the Resolve of the Con-
tinental Congress respecting the same & that a Copy of
this Resolve be transmitted to the said Trimble as early
as possible.
Resolved That Notice be given to the Freeholders &
Freemen of Harford County who are the lovers of
Liberty & they are hereby requested to give their at-
tendance at Harford Town the 3rd day of Jan’y
next to consider of some general plan of Forming them-
selves into Companies agreeable to a Resolve of the
Provincial Congress & also to choose Gentlemen to at-
tend as Deputies for this County at the said Congress
to meet at Annapolis on Monday 24th of April or
sooner if required by the committee of Correspondence.
Committee farther adjourned to Monday the 2nd
Jan’y 1775.
At a meeting of the Committee at Harford Town
on Monday the 2nd January as per adjournment Pres-
ent Capt. John Matthews in the Chair, Capt. John Paca,
Dr. Josias Carvil Hall, Amos Garret, Aquila Paca, Dr.
Thomas Andrews, Jacob Bond, Bennet Mathews,
Abraham Whitaker, Benedict Edward Hall, John Rum-
sey, Edward Prall, Robert Lemmon, John Carlisle,.
Richard Dallam, John Taylor, Doctr, John Archer,
William Young, George Bradford, William Smithson,
Edward Hall, Aquila Hall & James Holmes.
John Wilson appeared agreeable to Summons & the
following Interrogations were put to him
Whether he had a pamphlet titled the Friendly Ad-
dress.
Answer Yes.
Whether he had read any paragraph thereof to any
person.
Answer Yes, to William Wilson, Senr.
And whether he had endeavored to enforce the Rea-
sonings & Conclusions there laid Down.
Answer No.
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY. 28l
No evidence appearing against Mr. Wilson Resolved
that all further proceedings in the matter be referred to
the next Committee and Mr. Wilson be ordered to at-
tend & that a summons be issued for Mr. William Wil-
son, Senr. desiring his attendance which was accord-
ingly done.
Meeting adjourned until Monday the ....
The Committee met by Adjournment Present Capt.
John Mathews (in the Chair), Richard Dallam, Rev.
Mr. John Clark, Capt. John Paca, Aquila Hall, John
Carlile, Amos Garret, Capt. Bennet Mathews, Benj.
Edw. Hall, Wm. Young, Edward Prall, Isaac Web-
ster, Jacob Bond, Doctr. Carvel Hall, Francis Holland,
Doctr. Robert Lemmon, John Beal Howard, Edmund
Bull, Dr. John Archer, John Taylor, Edward Hall,
William Morgan, William Webb, Benjamin Rumsey,
Abraham Whitaker & William Smithson.
Resolved that John Wilson being accused by a mem-
ber of this Committee of having sold Gunpowder at
4s. pr. lb an Infringement of the fourth Article
of the Provincial Congress & acknowledgeing that he
had sold the powder as alledged though without any
intention of violating any Resolve but from Miscon-
struction thereof and humbly submitting himself to
this Committee and declaring a readiness to conform
himself in future to the Resolutions of the Continental
Congress and Provincial Convention he be dismissed.
Mr. William Wilson appeared agreeable to the Sum-
mons issued him yesterday and being interrogated from
the Chair whether Mr. John Wilson had read to him
any paragraphs from a Pamphlet entitled the Friendly
Address &c. answers that John Wilson had read to
him some paragraphs from some little book but that he
did not know the title thereof and being also asked if
he remembered the Particular Part thereof replied that
he could not remember any particulars — that Mr. John
Wilson did read to him but little and being asked if
John Wilson made any Remarks thereon answered
(No).
282 HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
Resolved that as Mr. John Wilson appears to this
Committee to have done nothing by the aforesaid
Pamphlet to disunite the Colonies He is acquitted of
the Charge.
It being reported that Mr. William Webb a Member
of this Committee has been guilty of an Infringement
of the Continental Association by being concerned in a
horse race, the Gentleman comes into this Committee
and prays that he may be heard in his defence.
Resolved that Mr. Webb has sufficiently exculpated
hi .self from the general Charge.
Resolved, that Mr. Garret, Doctr. Archer, Aquila
Hall, Aquila Hall, Junr., Robert Lemmon, Richard
Dallam, Doctr. Jo. C. Hall, Abram Whitaker, Jacob
Bond, Samuel Ashmead, William Webb, Jeremiah
Sheredine and Wm. Morgan be appointed to draw up
an association for embodiing the Militia of this County
agreeable to the Resolve of the Convention and to
bring in a draft thereof on the 23rd Inst.
Resolved, that an advertisement be set up Acquaint-
ing the People that such an association is on the
said 23rd Inst, to be Layd before them and that they
be desired to give their attendance thereon as also to
elect as a Committee to be joined to the present some
More from Parts of the County where it may be
thought they were wanted.
Resolved, that Francis Holland, John Carlile, Wil-
liam Hollis, Senr., Bendct. Edw. Hall, Edward Hall
& Samuel Griffith, for Spesutia Lower.
Edmund Bull, Thomas Johnson, John Love, Doctr.
John Archer, Capt. Bennet Mathews & Richard Dal-
lam, for Spesutia Upper.
George Patterson, Doctr. Thomas Andrews, John
Rumsey, Daniel Anderson, Edward Prall, & Jacob
Giles, Junr., for Susquehanna.
John Durham, Aquila Paca, Henry Wetheral, John
Day, Joseph Presbury and Alex. Cowan, for Gunpow-
der Lower.
William Smithson, William Bond of Joshua, John
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY. 283
Taylor, James Everist (Surveyor) Benjamin Amoss,
& Henry Wilson, Junr., for Bush River Lower.
Abram Whitaker, Mordecai Amoss, William Mc-
Comas (of Dan), William Bosley, James Little, &
David Bell, for Bush River Upper.
Jeremiah Sheredine, John Hawkins, John Talley,
Andrew Howlet, John Patrick, & James Fisher, Deer
Creek Lower.
William Webb, William Morgan, Ignatius Wheeler,
Junr., John Donohooe, Hugh Whiteford, Junr., & Wil-
liam Fisher, Junr., Deer Creek Upper.
Be appointed to collect Contributions for the Relief
of the Poor of Boston and also to collect money for the
purchase of arms and Ammunition for the defence of
our Lives, Liberties & Properties and it is requested
that they will divide themselves into Districts in the
different hundreds and wait on each inhabitant within
each particular district and request some free Gift
either for the Relief of the Poor of Boston or for the
purchase of Arms and Ammunition for the defence of
our Lives, Liberties and Properties and make a report
thereof to the Committee and also to make a return of
such men (if any) who dead to every feeling of hu-
manity and to all sense of their own Danger refuse to
give anything to either of the above purposes.
Resolved that Aquila Hall, Jacob Bond, Doctr.
Bobert Lemmon, John Beale Howard, Francis Holland,
Amos Garret, Dr. J. C. Hall, Bendct. Edw. Hall, Rich-
ard Dallam, Doctr. John Archer, & John Love or Any
one or More are appointed to attend at Annapolis
agreeable to the Resolve of the late Provincial Con-
vention to represent this County in the next Conven-
tion.
At a meeting of the Committee of Harford county
at the Town of Harford by Adjournment the 23rd day
of Jan’y 1775 were present Aquila Hall, Senr., Benedct.
Edw. Hall, Aquila Paca, Benj. Rumsey, John Beale
Howard, Alex. Cowan, John Rumsey, William Young,
284 HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
Edwd. Prall, Francis Holland, William Smith (Bay-
side), John Taylor, James Little, Edward Hall, Free-
born Brown, Benj. Amos, Robert Lemmon, Richd. Dal-
lam, Sam’l Durham, James Harris, Abram Whitaker,
Doctr. Josias Carvil Hall, William Bond, son of
Hugh Whiteford, Doctr. Josias Carvil Hall, William
Joshua, Jacob Bond, Samuel Ashmead, Dr. John
Archer.
Resolved that Aquila Hall, Esqr., be appointed
Treasurer for the Money Reed, for the purchase of a
Magazine of Arms and Ammunition & that the col-
lectors of such donations be desired to account with
him as often as convenient.
Resolved that two Barrels of Flour given by James
Matthews for the Poor of Boston now in Mr. Thomas
Halls Mills be sent to Balto. town and sold and the
money be pade to the Treasurer.
On Motion resolved that the Amot. of the several
subscription papers for the relief of the Poor of Boston,
and for Arms and Ammunition be entered as they ap-
pear viz :
Poor of Boston. Arms & Amtn.
Bush River Lower iio.ios.od. & i9.12s.6d.
Spesutie Lower by B. E. H. . 6.i8s.od. & 21.12s.6d.
Susquehanna Hund. by G. P. 3.118.3d. & 4.i5s.od.
Paid In.
Poor of Boston. Arms & Amtn.
Bush River Lower £1. os.od. £ o.7s.6d.
Spesutie Lower by B. E. H 3. 3s.od. 13.7s.6d.
Susquehanna Hund. by G. P. . . . i.i2s.6d. 2.i7s.6d.
Mr. Aquila Hall informed this Committee that by the
Ship Simm Capt Hooker arrived in Patuxent River
some time ago he had received a small cargo of goods
for the private use of his family, ordered in the month
of June 1774 and Shipd as appears by the Merchants
Letters and Invoice on the Tenth of October in the
same year, it appearing to this Committee that the
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY. 285
said goods had been Imported before the First day of
December Last, because no public paper hath given
any account of the Goods Imported in said Ship being
prohibited to be sold by the committee of this county
where landed also because goods imported in said ship
have by the Committee in Baltimore Town (been) al-
lowed to be used by the Importer and also because the
Goods were Shiped timely enough to have arrived
before the said first day of December Therefore Re-
solved, unanimously that the Said Aquila Hall be per-
mitted to use or Vend the said Goods.
Mr. John B. Howard having imported a package of
Goods in the same ship and under the same Circum-
stances with Mr. A. Hall Resolved that he be per-
mitted to Vend them.
This Committee having to the best of their Skill and
Judgement Discharged the Trust Reposd, in them,
Earnestly Recommend to theire Constituents, the
Choice of a new Committee to consist of ten Men in
each Hundred, the Election to be made as follows in
Spesutia Lower Spesutia Church on the ioth day of
February, in Spesutia Upper at Hickory Tavern on the
same day, Susquehanna at Boners same day, Deer
Creek Lower at John Patrick’s on the day afore-
said Deer Creek Upper at Ashmous Mill (Prestons) on
same day, Gunpowder Lower at Joppa on same day,
Bush River Lower at James Holms on same day, Bush
River Uper at Francis Dinses on same day and the re-
turns to be made on the 22nd day of the same month
to which day the committee adjourns.
Harford Town, 22d Feby., 1775. — The Committee
met according to adjournm : when the state of elections
in the several Hundreds were reported and ordered to
be entered as follows : For Spesutia Lower — Benedict
Edwd. Hall, Doctr. Josias C. Hall, Francis Holland,
Captain John Matthews, Aquila Hall, Edwd. Hall,
Amos Garret, Greenberry Dorsey, Capt. John Paca,
& Freeborn Brown.
286
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
Susquehanna. — John Rumsey, Doctor Thomas
Andrews, Benjamin Bayles, Charles Anderson, Jacob
Giles, Junr., Edwd. Prall, Doctr. Robert Lemmon, Geo.
Patterson, Chas. Gilbert, James Horner.
Bush River Lower. — Jacob Bond, John Taylor,
William Smithson, Thomas Bond, son of John, James
McComas, William Wilson, Junr., William Bradford,
Benjamin Bradford Norris, Sami. Caldwell, Danl.
Scott, son of Aquila.
Bush River Upper. — Thomas Bond, Junr., Revd.
John Davis, Revd. John Clark, William Smith, Esq.,
Samuel Ashmead, James Litle, Abram Whitaker, Wm.
McComas, Mordecai Amos, Thomas Hope.
Deer Creek Lower. — John Patrick, John Bartly,
Andrew Howlet, Edwd. Ward, Senr., Richard Wells,
Junr., Robert Morgan, John Hawkins, Richd. Dallam,
Senr., John Litton, Jeremiah Sheredine.
Spesutia Upper. — Richard Dallam, Geo. Bradford,
James Harris, Isaac Webster, Bennet Mathews, John
Archer, Thomas Johnson, Edmd. Bull, James Clandi-
nen, John Love.
Deer Creek Upper. — William Webb, William
Fisher, Junr., William Morgan, John Dunnahy, John
Whiteford, Alex. Rigdon, Sami. Jenkins, Thomas
Brice, Sias Billingslea & Hugh Whiteford.
Gunpowder Lower. — Lambert Wilmere, John Day,
John Durham, Alexander Cowan, Doctor Moses Has-
lett, Henry Wetheral, Benj. Rumsey, Aquila Hall,
Junr., John Beale Howard, Aquila Paca, of whom were
present,
Amos Garret, Benedict Edward Hall, Edward Hall,
Aquila Hall, Freeborn Brown, Benjamin Bayles, Chas.
Anderson, Edward Prall, Robert Lemmon, GeorgePat-
terson, James Horner, Jacob Bond, William Smithson,
James McComas, William Bradford, Andrew Howlet,
Jacob Giles, Junr., Robert Morgan, John Clark, Samuel
Ashmead, William Smith, Isaac Webster, James Litle,
William McComas, George Bradford, James Harris,
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY. 287
Bennet Mathews, Thos. Johnson, Edmund Bull, John
Love, William Webb, Alex. Rigdon, Aquila Hall,
Junr., Aquila Paca, Francis Holland, Benj. Bradford
Norris, Josias Carvil Hall, John Davis, Mordecai
Amos, John Taylor, who appointed Mr. Amos Garret
Chairman And Mr. John Cotter Clerk.
Resolved that Mr. John Cotter be paid by the Com-
mittee fifteen Shillings P diem, for each day’s attend-
ance as Clerk to this Committee such fees to be consid-
ered as due only for his actual attendance on this Com-
mittee’s intermediate services, unless very considerable
’tis expected he will execute gratis.
At a meeting of the above Committee the Members
chosen came into the following Resolves — To Wit. We
do acknowledge that the people of Boston are now suf-
fering in the Common Cause, and that we ought to
contribute to their relief.
Resolved That a Committe be appointed to frame
rules and orders for the more regular and quick dis-
patch of Business in this Committee.
Upon motion the following gentlemen were chosen — •
To wit, Messrs. Benedict Edward Hall, Robert Lem-
mon, Benjamin Rumsey, William Smith, and John
Clark, who brought in the following rules which were
ordered to be entered and observed.
1 — That when the President takes the Chair, all the
members take their places in order.
2 — That all persons speaking shall address the Chair.
3 — That while one is speaking, no second person
shall speak at the same time.
4 — That a Question being put and seconded, shall
be divided upon after it is debated except the first
mover for the question withdraws the same. And in
case the motion is not Seconded to fall.
5 — That no Question shall be put while another is in
agitation Except a Motion for Amendment or the pre-
vious question. Vizt. Is it the pleasure of this Com-
mittee that the question in debate be postponed ?
288 HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
6 — That these rules and Orders at every Meeting of
this Committee be read before the Committee proceed
to business.
7 — That no Member of this Committee leave this
room after the President takes the Chair before ad-
journment, without leave first had from the Chair,
under the penalty of One Shilling for every offence to
be applied towards the payment of the Clerk and pur-
chase of paper, pen and ink.
8. — That no person who is not a member of this
Committee be allowed to speak to any matter in de-
bate, except when called upon by the Chairman.
9 — That no person be allowed to speak more than
once on any one question unless leave first obtained.
10 — That any person making use of abusive lan-
guage or casting out personal reflection be called to
order by the Chairman.
Mr. William Young produced a certificate from Mr.
John Boyd Clerk of the Committee of Baltimore Town
that a Chest of Linens by him said Young purchased
of Lux and Boley were disposed of by the Committee
of said place. It is satisfactory to this Committee that
Mr. Young dispose of said Linens.
The Committee adjourned to the 23 at 9 o’clock.
Harford Town 23rd February, 1775. The Commit-
tee met according to adjournment from the 22d. Pres-
ent, Aquila Hall, Esq., Chairman; Aquila Hall, Junr.,
Aquila Paca, Josias Carvil Hall, Revd. M. Clark, Ben-
jamin Bayly, Capt. William Smith, James Litle, Wil-
liam Webb, Benedict Edward Hall, Jas. McComas,
William McComas, Mordecai Amos, Revd. M. John
Davis, Freeborn Brown, Samuel Ashmead.
Resolved that those Gentlemen who were appointed
to collect money for the relief of the poor of Boston
and also for the purchase of Arms and Ammunition
be requested to bring in their Collections on Wednes-
day the 22 day of March as on that day it is expected
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY. 289
there will be a sum made up to transmit to the Com-
mittee of the City of Boston for the intended benevo-
lent Purposes and also a sum to be laid out for the pur-
chase of Arms and Ammunition agreeable to the Re-
solves of the late Convention and they are also re-
quested to return a list of those men who have not paid
their Subscriptions, who will be deemed as Non-Sub-
scribers and consequently as unfriendly to the General
Cause of America.
To obviate the inconveniency of having a number of
officers throughout this County who are unable to
form Complete Companies.
Resolved — That each hundred where there are more
Officers than there are private men to fill up each Offi-
cers Company then throughout the whole Hundred
every such Company shall be disbanded.
Resolved — That no Company shall consist of less
than 68 or more than 135, officers incd.
Resolved, that where a Company Consists of more
than 135 that then there shall be a division of such
Company after the following manner Viz. 57 men to
be draughted from the last subscribers of the said Com-
pany those 57 to proceed to an election of their officers
from the whole Company, former officers excepted.
Such officers when elected to be joined to the fifty
seven, and if there should not then be a Sufficiency, the
Complement to be taken as afore directed from the last
of the general List who are not already draughted.
Resolved, That no Company shall meet where
Liquor is to be sold, or permit any Liquor to be brought
to the field or place of said Companies Meeting.
Resolved, That where the Company exceeds 135, 57
men who are last upon the Roll, shall be taken off that
another Company may be formed in the following
manner. Vizt. they are to be chosen out of the whole
Company as it late stood if by their officers being taken
out of the draughted thereof.
29O HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
Resolved, That upon any one member omitting to
attend twice successively and no sufficient Cause for
such Non-Attendance appearing to the Committee, No-
tice of such delinquency be given by advertisement in
the Hundred where such Culprit resides.
Resolved, That not less than Fifteen of the Commit-
tee of this County shall have the power to transact
business.
The Committee then adjourned to Wednesday the
22 of March.
At a meeting of the Committee of Harford County
at the Town of Harford by adjournment on the 226. of
March present Aquila Hall in the Chair, William
Webb, Francis Holland, Capt. William Smith, Green-
berry Dorsey, Abraham Whitaker, John Taylor, John
Durham, Alex, Rigdon, Edward Ward, sen, Robt.
Lemmon, Benedict Edward Hall, Aquila Hall, Junr.,
Doctr. John Archer, William Morgan, George Patter-
son, Dr. J. C. Hall, William Wilson, Junr., Samuel
Caldwell, Robert Morgan, James Lytle, John Pat-
rick, William Fisher, Charles Anderson, James Mc-
Comas, Thomas Brice, William Bradford, Richd. Dal-
lam, Benj. B. Norris, Danl. Scott (son Aquila), Thos.
Johnson, Aquila Paca, Isaac Webster, Edwd. Prall,
James Harris, William Smithson, John Donahuy.
We the Committee of Harford County having most
seriously and maturely considered the Resolves & As-
sociation of the Continental Congress and the Resolves
of the Provential Convention, do most heartily approve
of the same, and as we esteem ourselves in a more par-
ticular manner, intrusted by our Constituents to see
them Carried into Execution we do most Solemnly
pledge ourselves to Each Other and to Our Country
and engage ourselves by every tie held sacred among
Mankind. To perform the Same at the Risque of our
Lives and Fortunes.
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
291
Aquila Hall,
Jos. Carvel Hall,
Geo. Patterson,
Robt. Morgan,
Robt. Lemmon,
Thos. Brice,
Wm. Morgan,
Frans Holland,
Samuel Calwell,
Aquila Paca,
James Lytle,
Aquila Hall, Junr.,
Richd. Dallam,
John Durham,
Jas. McComas,
Wm. Bradford, Sen.,
Wm. Smithson,
John Donahuy,
Daniel Scott,
John Patrick,
Thos. Johnson,
Alex. Rigdon,
Edw. Ward,
Abm. Whitaker,
Charles Anderson,
Wm. Fisher, Junr.,
Benj. Bradford Norris,
James Harris,
Edward Prall,
Greenberry Dorsey,
John Archer,
W. Smithe,
Wm. Webb,
John Taylor.
As Thiere is this day a letter directed to this Com-
mittee from the Committee of Baltimore Reed, giving
Information a Considerable Quantity of Salt having
arrived at Baltimore addressed to Dr. John Stevenson
and that he hath ordered a Quantity of sd Salt on Bord
of Bay Vessels to be sent to other Counties in this
province or to Virginia Contrary to the Resolves of the
Baltimore Committee. We therefore do recommend it
Seriously to Every Man and Every Inhabitant of this
County to be very Vigilant in particular at this Time
so as to prevent the Lending or Selling Said Salt.
Resolved therefore that any Committeeman who
should of his own certain knowledge or by Information
know of any breach of the Continental or Provential
resolves that he immediately summon Seven to set as a
Committee to determine the Propriety or Impropriety
of the sale in a most speedy manner.
Resolved that an advertisement be drawn agreeable
to the above resolve and that Mr. William Smith,
Aquila Hall, Junr., Aquila Paca draw the same and set
them up in different parts of the County.
292 HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
Resolved, That Mr. Aquila Hall, Senr., Aquila Hall,
Junr., Capt. William Smith, Richard Dallam, Doctr.
John Archer, Dr. Josias C. Hall, Benjamin Rumsey,
Doctr. Robert Lemmon or any of the act as Committee
of Correspondence.
Resolved, That the Committee of Correspondence do
write to Committee Cecil Informing them of the pur-
port of a letter recvd. from Baltimore and also to
answer said Letter.
Resolved, That the following is a Copy of a Letter
recevd from the Committee of Baltimore and answered
agreeable to the Above Resolve . . . above :
Gentlemen: Baltimore, March 15th, 1775.
Persuent to the trust reposed in us, we take the Lib-
ety of Informing you that a brig called the Sally Wil-
liam Moat, master from Bristol having about 4000
bushels of> Salt on Board, arrived lately at Annapolis
on which Doctr. John Stevenson to whom she was con-
signed applied.
Committee to know whither he might be permitted
to land the Salt, alledging it ought only to be con-
sidered as Ballaste and not intended to be prohibited
by the Association of the Continental Congress. The
Committee being of a different opinion resolved unani-
mously that it should not be landed and not suspecting
that after such a declaration of our Sentiments Doctr.
Stevenson would act contrary thereto more especially
after having publicly declared that the Salt should
every handfull be thrown overboard in open daylight
when the vessel should arrive at Baltimore, we judge
it unnecessary to take any other steps in the matter.
We are sorry to be under the necessity of informing
you that notwithstanding our resolve and Dr. Steven-
son’s Declaration he caused the vessel to stop at the
mouth of our River where three or four Craft took in
part of the said salt as appears by an inquiry into the
matter before our Committee last Monday; and as we
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY. 293
suppose those Crafts are dispatched into different
Rivers in the Bay to dispose of the Salt we recommend
it to you to use your best endeavors to pre-
vent such sale and Caution the Committees of your
Vicinity on this subject; the proceedings of our
Committee on this affair you will shortly see
in print, in the meanwhile we would inform
remainder of the Salt left on Bord the Brig, which he
says is about half the Cargo, in to the River, and that
the Captain has engaged on oath that no part thereof
shall be landed any place on the Continent between
Georgia and Nova Scotia. Mr. Woolsey of this place
has had a vessel arrivd lately from Liverpool with a
Cargo of Salt. He applied to us for our opinion
whether he might have Liberty to put it on Bord an-
other Vessel to carry it to Nova Scotia as the Vessel it
came in could not proceed there without defeating the
voyage. This we readily agreed to ; and Mr. Woolsey
has engaged to produce a Sufficient Proof of the Salt
being landed at Halifax as soon as that event takes
place, & the Capt. is on oath that he will not land it on
any part of Contint. between Georgia and Nova Scotia
we are with much respect Gentlemen,
Your most Hb Servts,
In Behalf of the Committee
Sami Purviance.
On motion resolved that the Committee of this
County meet at the Cross Roads at Mr. Jamisons on
Wednesday the 5th of April at 10 O’clock to which day
the Committee adjourns.
Wednesday, April 5, 1775.
At a meeting of the Committee at the Lower Cross
Roads by adjournment Present Capt. William Smith
in the Chair, The Revd. Mr. Davis, Jacob Bond, Sam-
uel Ashmead, Jacob Bull, James Horner, Robert Mor-
gan, Benjamin Bayless, William Webb, Bennet Mat-
hews, Aquila Paca, Will Smithson, Hugh Whiteford,
Junr., Aquila Hall, Senr., James C. Clendening, Samuel
294 HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
Jenkins, William Fisher, Andrew Howlet, Alexander
Rigdon, William Morgan, Edward Prall, Samuel Cal-
well, Richd. Dallam, Doctr. John Archer, John Dur-
ham, & Benedict Edward Hall appointed Pro tern
Secry.
On motion ordered that Aquila Hall Esqr. Treas-
urer do Ship off from Baltimore Town for the City of
Boston as much French Burrn Middlings as he can
purchase for the money he may have received for that
purpose within fifteen days from the date hereof.
Resolved, That as our Donations ought to be free
and unincumbered the treasurer be instructed to pay
the freight and Insurance out of the Money he has
received for the Poor of Boston.
Resolved that as our Treasurer has French Burrn
Middlings which he offers at the rate of Fifteen Shil-
lings P Hundred delivered and Inspected in Baltimore
Town, we do agree that he ship his own Conformable
to the foregoing resolves.
As it is thought highly expedient that there be a gen-
eral review of the Militia of this County & to the end
that such meeting be as large as may be.
Resolved, That the Captains of the different Com-
panies in the County be requested to consult their Com-
panies when and where it will be most convenient for
them to meet & lay their determinations before this
Committee.
Resolved, That Wm. M. Love be appointed in the
Room of Captain John Archer to collect Contributions
for the Poor of Boston and for the purchase of Arms
and Ammunition.
The following fines were paid into the Hands of the
Clerk for the time being, to wit :
William Webb one Shilling
Aquila Paca three Shillings
Jacob Bond one Shilling
James Harris one Shilling.
£o.6s.od.
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
295
for departing the Committee without leave before ad-
journment. As it is necessary that the Good people of
this County be informed of the Proceedings of their
Deputies in Committee and that such Information may
be had at as little expense & Trouble as the Nature of
the Thing will admit this Committee have thought
proper to adjourn from their Usual Place of Meeting
in Harford Town to this place and in Pursuance of the
same Laudable design have resolved that their next
meeting be at Mrs. Shaw’s Near the Chappie to which
place they adjourn to the first Wednesday in May next.
At a meeting of the Committee for Harford
county and town of Harford, on Monday the first
day of May, 1775. Present M. Amos Garret,
Aquila Hall, Wm. Webb, Samuel Ashmead, Thomas
Johnson, John Love, Greenberry Dorsey, Thomas
Brice, James Clenenden, John Durham, Henry Weth-
erel, Bennet Mathews, Edmund Bull, Freeborn Brown,
James Harris, Doctr. John Archer, William Smithson,
James McComas, John Taylor, Alex. Cowan, Edwd.
Hall, Richd. Dallam, Wm. Morgan, Abraham Whita-
ker, Wm. Bradford, Wm. McComas, Benj. Bayles,
Geo. Patterson, Cyrus Billingslea, Edwd. Prall, Aquila
Hall, Junr., Danl. Scott (son Aquila).
On motion Mr. Amos Garret Chosen Chearman and
Geo. Patterson Clk on motion the several Expressis
Resvd were Read.
On motion resolved that Doctr. John Archer & Free-
born Brown wate on Mr. John Wilson and engage all
the powder & lead he has.
On motion Resolvd that Mr. Aquila Hall, Junr., pur-
chase Twenty Half Barrels of Powder for the use of
this Committee & 4000 weight of Lead at Balto. Town
or Elsewhere.
On motion Resolved that Three Horses be purchased
to forward the Expresses, &c. Two of which to stand
at Harford Town and one at Susquehanna and M. John
Love, Edwd. Prall & Samuel Ashmead are appointed
to purchase the afore mentioned Horses.
296 HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
On motion Resolvd that M. Aquila Hall, Junr., con-
sult the Committee of Baltimore whether it may be
practicable for to Export the Flower sent there by Mr.
Aquila Hall, Senr., for the Relief of Boston.
On motion resolved, that the Several Collectors of
the Several Hundred in this County wate on every In-
habitant of the Several Hundred at theire Houses in
order to receive some free gift for the poor of Boston
and for the purchase of Arms and Ammunition as also
to collect the former Subscriptions.
On information of John Durham, Resolvd. that
Doctr. Dewet Appeare Before this Committee for vio-
lating a Resolution of the provential Convention in
Killing a Lamb dropt after the first day of May.
Test John Durham.
James McComas.
Doctr. Dewet appeares before this Committe and ac-
knowledged the fact he Stands accused of to be true,
and it was done through Ignorance and promises in the
strongest Ties of Honour that He Will not Violate any
Resolve of the Continental Congress or the Provential
Convention at any Time Hereafter.
On motion Resolvd. that any seven members of the
Committee hereinafter proceed to Business.
The Committee adjourns to Wednesday the 3d day
of May at 10 o’clock.
The Committee by adjournment of the First Instant
at the Committee Chamber in Harford Town on Wed-
nesday the 3d day of May. Assembled at The said
Place, Present
Mr. John Mathews, Mr. Aquila Hall, Mr. Thomas
Bond, Junr., Mr. John Rumsey, Geo. Bradford, Thos.
Hope, Edmund Bull, Samuel Ashmead, Richd. Dallam,
Doctr. Carvil Hall, Amos Garret, Wm. Bradford,
Samuel Jenkins, Mr. Wm. Smith, Mr. John Love,
Bennet Matthews, Aq. Paca.
Mr. John Mathews in the Chair.
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY. 297
Dr. Jos. Carvil Hall Offers a Mare to the Committee
for the use of the Publick, which being viewed by Mr.
Ashmead and Mr. Love its agreed to pay Doctr. Hall,
Twelve Pounds, for the same and he Generously Offers
to give Five Pounds of the Price and the seaveral mem-
bers of this Committee, has paid 8-9 Cash to Raise the
same the money was paid to Doctr. Hall. — M. Bond,
M. Dallam, M. Bull & M. Ashmead, is desired to wate
on the Gentlemen of this Town To know who will keep
the said mare on the Best Terms to be Ready when
called for, on the Publick Business of Expresses &
who do Report that M. Jos. Stiles will keep the said
creature in a proper manner at Thirty Shillings Per
Month, for one month from this date.
On motion, that there is a parcell of Salt at Otter-
point Suspected to be what was Carried from Baltimore
Town belonging to Doctr. John Stevenson which the
Doctr. Had Promised to Return an acct. of and to
bestow the Proceeds to the Poor of Boston. M. Butler
appeared before the Committee and Reported that the
Salt above was belonging to Doctr. Stevenson & was
sent to him to sell and that it was presumed by the
Doctr. letter Reed, with the Salt, bearing date the first
day of Feby. Last, that the same must have been in the
Country before the Stoppage of the Importation of
Merchandise in Generill, but for further Information
Mr. Aquila Paca, Mr. Geo Bradford, Mr. Smith & Mr.
William Bradford make an Enquiry, when the Salt
above was Landed thiere for the further Satisfaction of
this Committee, & What Quantity was at first Recvd.
and if any has been Landed Since.
This Committee adjourns to Friday Next to meet
heare.
On Friday the 5th at the Committee Chamber the
following Gentlemen were present :
Mr. Aquila Hall, Mr. Alexander Cowin, Mr. John
Beale Howard, Mr. Thos. Andrews, Mr. Edmund Bull,
Mr. Greenberry Dorsey, Mr. Thos. Johnson , Mr.
Bened. Edwd. Hall & Amos Garret, Dr. Moses Haslet,
298 HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
William Willson , Jr., James McComas, Mr. Benj.
Rumsey, Mr. Richd. Dallam.
Mr. Aquila Hall in the Chair.
On motion Resolvd. that as the Flower Intended for
the Relief of Boston send from this Committee & now
at Baltimore Town, as things are Situated cannot be
applyed as Intended, Mr. Aquila Hall is to write to the
Committee at Baltimore to sell the same and have the
money to be ready when Called for.
On motion Resolvd. that persons be appointed to at-
tend the Convention at Annapolis when they may be
required it is appointed that Each Hundred in this
County do appoint Two men to attend the same and as
the Time is Critical and the Crisis may be Perelous its
Desired that Such Person to be Chosen, be out of the
most Substantial and Knowing Men in the Hundreds,
and voted in by the majority of persons in Each Hun-
dred Qualified to vote at Elections, and its Farther
moved, the said Choice be made on Monday the Fif-
teenth Instant and at the Seaverel Places hereafter
mentioned to say in Spesutia Lower at the Church, In
Susquehanna at James Horners, Spesutia Uper at the
Hickory Tavern, Deer Creek Lower at the Chappie,
Deer Creek upper at Ashmous (Preston's) Mill, Gun-
powder Lower at Joppa, Bush River Lower at James
Holms & Bush River uper at Robinsons, and its re-
quested by the Committee Preasent that as Publick
Notice of this election be made as can be and returns
be made by the Seaveral Hundreds on the 17th Instant
at Harford Town.
As its appointed by the Convention, lately held at
Annapolis that Thursday the nth day of this Instane
be set apart for Humiliation Fast and Prayer through-
out this Province for averting the Impending Danger,
that we at preasant labour under, ordered that the same
be made publick in this County and Recommended to
all orders of men in the said County to Demean them-
selves acordingly.
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY. 299
On Monday the 8th day of May 1775 at the Commit-
tee Chamber were present :
The Revd. Mr. John Clark, Jacob Bond, John Dona-
huy, Geo. Bradford, Edwd. Prall, Thos. Bond, Junr.,
Robt. Lemmon, James Clendenen, Isaac Webster, Wil-
liam Smithson, Doctr. John Archer, Francis Holland,
Bennet Mathews, Ben. Edwd. Hall, James Harris,
Benjamin Bayless, John Taylor, Aquila Hall, James
McComas.
The Revd. Mr. John Clark in the Chair.
Mr. Geo. Bradford reports to this Committee that he
with Mess. Aq. Paca & William Bradford, Sen., went
to Otterpoint and Enquired into the affair of Salt theire
& says that from the best acct. they could gitt it does
not appear to be any of the Cargo of Salt Imported by
Doctr. John Stevenson.
Doctr. John Archer makes Report that Mr. John
Wilson has 100 lbs. of Gunpowder which he is willing
to sell at the price it Cost him which this Committee
agrees to give him for it, this powder having been
bought by Mr. Willson in Philada. before the Proven-
tial Convention, it is thought unjust to compell him
to loose by it, and its therefore ordered that Mr. Aq.
Hall pay Him for the said Powder i15.10s.0d. pet.
with the additional Cost of 2j4 pet.
On motion Resolvd. as the Delegates who attend the
Congress will have occasion of money for their Ex-
penses and it was Proportioned in the late Convention
that this County pay Twenty Eight Pounds Towards
the same, it is now ordered that Mr. Aquila Hall pay
the same out of the mony he has in hand, and that the
Seaverel Hundreds Subscribe and Repay the same to
be returned him to Replace the money now taken for
that purpose.
At a meeting of the Committee at their Chamber at
Harford Town on Wednesday the 17th day of May —
Present Messr. John Mathews, John Beale Howard,
William Webb, James Harris, Aquila Hall, Thomas
Bond, Jr., William Willson, Jr., Bennet Mathews,
300 HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
Richd. Dallam, Samuel Ashmead, Thos. Johnson,
Abraham Whitaker, Francis Holland, Doctr. Carvil
Hall, Samuel Bayles, Amos Garrett, William Bradford,
Edwd. Prall, Geo. Bradford, John Patrick, Aquila
Paca, Edmund Bull, John Love, Benjamin Bradford
Norris, Jacob Bond, James McComas.
On motion Mr. John Mathews in the Chair.
Amos Garret Clk.
In pursuance of the order to the Several Hundreds to
Chose Two men Eeach to Represent them in Proven-
tial Convention, the Undermentioned Gentlemen were
chose :
Benedict Edwd. Hall,
Francis Holland,
for Spesutia Lower.
Rich. Dallam,
Pohn Love,
for Spesutia Upper.
Thomas Andrews,
John Rumsey,
for Susquehanna.
Samuel Durham,
James McComas,
for Bush River Lower.
Thomas Bond, Jr.,
Samuel Ashmead,
for Bush River Upper.
Benjamin Rumsey,
John Beale Howard,
for Gunpowder Lower.
William Webb,
Ignatius Wheeler,
for Deer Creek Upper.
John Barcely,
John Hawkins,
for Deer Creek Lower.
On the applycation of Mr. Thomas Chambers to pur-
chase the Mare Bought of Doctr. Carvil Hall She is
Disposed of to the said Chambers on the following
Terms, that he pay into the Hands of Mr. Aquila Hall
the Sum of Twelve Pounds, to be returned to the
Seaverel Persons who advanced the sum for the said
mare, and that Mr. Chambers let her go on any express
the Committee may have Occation for gratis & that the
said mare shall be pade for by the Committee, pro-
vided accident should happen that when she is out on
the Committee Business she is Lamed or otherwise
Damaged.
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY. 3OI
Certificate made out to the Delegates, to Deliver in
at Annapolis in the following words :
At Harford County.
By Instruction from the Committee of the County
aforesaid to the Freeholders of the Seaverel Hundreds
in said County to elect Two Person in Each Hun-
dred to Represent this County in Provential Conven-
tion to be held at the City of Annapolis on Monday
the 22nd Instant or any other day that may be ap-
pointed for the said meeting the Following Gentlemen
were returned Benedict Edwd. Hall, Francis Holland,
Richd. Dallam, John Love, Thomas Andrews, John
Rumsey, Samuel Durham, James McComas, Thomas
Bond, Jr., Samuel Ashmead, Benjamin Rumsey, John
Beale Howard, William Webb, Ignatius Wheeler,
John Barcely & John Hawkins, which gentlemen or
any three or more of them are appointed to meet at
the City of Annapolis at the time aforesaid or any
day the said meeting may be adjourned to. To Repre-
sent this County in the said Convention and its Recom-
mended to Our said delegates to Cooperate with the
Gentlemen that may meet at the said Convention in all
such business as may then be seen necessary to join
in for the good of the Common Cause in Committee.
May 17th 1775.
Signed. John Mathews, Chairman.
The Committee adjourns to Thursday the 25th of
May.
At a meeting of the Committee on Thursday the 25th
Inst, as per adjournment were present
Mr. John Mathews, Mr. Amos Garret, John Love,
Bennet Mathews, Samuel Calwell, William Smithson,
Benedict Edwd. Hall, Jacob Bond, Edwd. Prall, Sam-
uel Ashmead, Edmund Bull, Robt. Lemmon, James
McComas.
Mr. John Mathews in the Chair.
Before the Committee Proceeds to other Business
the following Letter which was received the 17 inst by
302
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
post was read, as Reed, from the Delegates at the Con-
gress to Postpon the meeting of the Provential Con-
vention to witt,
Gent. Philadelphia 15 May 1775.
As thiere will be no Occation for Holding a Conven-
tion of Our Province the 22nd Instant we shall be
Obliged to You to Notify the same so the Debutys for
your County we cannot at present ascertain Time when
it may be necessary to have a meeting but as soon . . .
Can Shall be Ceareful to give the best notice of,
We are Gentlemen
Yr. most obedient Servts.
Mat. Tilghman.
Th. Johnson, Junr.
H. Stone.
Gentlemen Baltimore May 19th 1775.
By seaverel Letters of good authority Recvd. from
Phila. by yesterday's Post, we are advised that there is
a vessel daily expected thiere with a parcel of Salt &
some Dry Goods from Liverpool for which the Pilots of
Dellaware are ordered to keep a sharp lookout, by the
same letters we are Informed one or more Ships were
taking in Salt and Dry Goods at Liverpool intended for
this bay in particular the Ship Johnson Bound with
such a cargo to this port. Its not probable that the par-
ties Concerned will attempt to bring such goods directly
in Heare, but rather Disload them in Small Craft Down
the Bay. We hope you will order a Diligent attention
be kept up in Examining all Boats and Small Craft &
use your Best Endeavors to Counteract The Selfish
Schemes of Every ennimy to American Liberty we are
with grieat Respect Gentlemen
yr. Hbl. Sevts.
In Behalf of the Committee,
Samuel Purviance,
Chairman.
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY. 3O3
I am not Certain whether you have been Informd.
that our Committee have agreed to your Requisition
for 500 wt. of Gun Powder. It is & you may have it as
soon as you please to send for it S. P.
Mr. Aquila Hall Baltimore May 19th 1775.
Sir — We have sold 70 Barrels of the Flower sent to
us for the poor of Boston to our neighbor Mr. Niell
at 1 2-6, but money is so scarce this week from the Inces-
sant hurry of wagons coming in that we could not git
the money for it as yet & we have such calls for money,
we cannot advance it at preasant. We suppose the
money may be got from Mr. Neill in a few days when it
shall be sent up. The Rest of the Flower remains yet
in Store. There was 4 barrels recvd. by Mr. Carliles
vessel which suppose is that sent by Dr. Hall as you
mentioned, we are Sir
yr. most hble, Servt.
Sami. & Robt. Purviance.
On motion Resolvd. that as Thomas Bond son of
John Refuses to serve as a Committeeman in Bush
River Lower Hundred that the free Holder of said
Hunderd meet and elect a Person in his place and
make a return of Such Person to the next meeting of
the Committee, and that Mr. Jacob Bond advertise the
Hundred to meet on Monday for that purpose.
The Committee adjourns to Thursday the 1st June.
At a meeting of the Committee of Harford County
by adjournment on 1st of June, Present Abra-
ham Whitaker, Benjamin Norriss, John Love, Morde-
cai Amoss, Francis Holland, Willm Jones, Bennet Mat-
hews, Alex. Rigdon, Aquila Paca, Aquila Hall, Ed-
mund Bull, Benedict Edwd. Hall, Bennet Mathews
in the Chair. — Bend. Edwd. Hall, pro Temp. Clk.
The Committee adjourns to Thursday the 8th June
304 HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
when the members are earnestly requested to be punc-
tual in their attendance as there will that day be a mat-
ter of very considerable importance laid before the
Committee for their serious Consideration.
At a meeting of the Committee of Harford County
at Harford Town on Thursday the 8th of June Present
Benjamin Rumsey Esqr in the Chair, John Beale How-
ard, William Smithson, William Webb, William Jones,
Jas. McComas, Richd. Dallam, Samuel Creswell, Thos.
Johnson, John Archer, Benj. Bradford Norris, James
Little, Benjn. Bailey, James Horner, James Harris,
George Bradford, Robert Lemmon, John Love, John
Rumsey, Francis Holland, Edward Hall, Bennet Mat-
hews, Mordecai Amoss, Aquila Hall, Senr., Daniel
Scott son of Aquila, & Benedict Edwd. Hall, ordered
that Doctr. Lemmons’ letter directed to Aquila Hall
respecting the proceedings of a former Committee be
read which which was accordingly done and is as fol-
lows :
Sir
The proceedings at the last Committee meeting ap-
pers very singular and offensive, I find, to the publick
who contributed to the Relief of Boston, in their pass-
ing an order to you to supply the value of the Collec-
tion in Middlings at 15 Pet. when fine Burr flower
will not sell for so much in Baltimore. No person who
knows the matter and the market prices, but will be
led to reflect, perhaps, upon you as designing to make
an advantage of the Poor of Boston, by taking more
than the market affords, and thereby lessening the
Quantity which otherwise might be transmitted. Per-
haps it may be said the Donors are abused in the ex-
travagant Application of the Donations, and may
prove a bar to their contributing on a future Occasion
if it should be necessary. This act may render the Com-
mittee contemptible by divesting it of publick con-
fidence; and if the publick withdraw their Confidence
we of course fail, as that is the only foundation of our
usefullness. Upon the Whole if you could not afford
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY. 305
your middlings at Market price I am of opinion the
persons desiring you to furnish them above it were not
your friends seeming as if they desired to hold one of
our first Patriots and friends to Boston up to publick
Infamy and Contempt. And if it should reach the
Provincial Convention how despicable will it appear.
In that case who will suffer ridicule, but those who are
known to be of weight in the County, especially if such
appear interested in the measure. If we act for publick
good, if we mean to relieve our suffering Brethren ;
let it be done to as much advantage as the poor pittance
will allow, I am clear in it as you will reflect the great-
est honor upon yourself by furnishing the flower at the
present current price, otherwise by relinquishing it,
give me leave to tell you Sir, we are in this instance
trustees for the poor we desire to Relieve. We accepted
the trust — our honor is at stake — our Constituents look
for faithfulness in us. — Our Constitutional rights de-
mand it. We should therefore be scrupulously erect
in the discharge of our duty. I remain
Your Hble Servt
Robert Lemmon.
April 1775.
On motion Resolved, that Doctr. Robert Lemmon’s
declaring to this Committee his having no intention
of passing a reflection on this Committee, or Mr.
Aquila Hall in a letter to him directed, is satisfactory
to this Committee.
Resolvd. that as Mr. Aquila Hall declines acting any
Longer as a Treasurer, Mr. Richard Dallam be ap-
pointed in his Room, and that Mr. Hall be ordered to
produce his Accounts before the Next Committee.
Resolvd. that Mr. Aquila Hall confessing his sorrow
for misbehaving before this Committee by striking
Doctor Lemmon, is deemed satisfactory to this Com-
mittee.
Information being given to this Committee that
Stephen Roberts of Harford County, hath reported
306 HISTORY OF HARFORD county.
that Benjamin Rumsey one of this Committee hath
killed a Lamb in order to have the same eaten in his
family Contrary to the Resolve of the Provincial Con-
gress, ordered that a summons issue for the said
Stephen Roberts to appear at the next Committee and
make good his charge.
The Committee met agreeable to adjournment on
Thursday the 22nd of June. Present Amos Garret
Esq., in the Chair, Benjamin Rumsey, Bendt. Edwd.
Hall, Jacob Bond, Aquila Hall, George Bradford, Wil-
liam Smithson, Doctr. John Archer, William Jones,
Benjamin Bayless, James Little, John Rumsey, Wil-
liam Willson, Benedict Mathews, Benj. Bradford Nor-
ris, James McComas, (Alexander Cowan Clk.)
Resolved that as Mr. Aquila Hall has not yet got his
Accounts ready for Inspection and desires a further
time for compleating them he be allowed untill the
meeting of the next Committee.
It appearing to this Committee from the hostile
Preparations of the British Ministry against the Colo-
nies that the greatest Union and Harmony among our-
selves attended with the Exertion of all our forces and
Abilities will be absolutely Necessary to repel and pre-
vent every Design and Attempt to enslave us and it is
also appearing to this Committee that an attempt to re-
move the seat of Justice from Harford Town will lay
the Foundation for Discord and Division among us.
Resolved Nem: Con: therefore that it is the opinion
of this Committee that no Step for that purpose ought
to be taken nor the said Business agitated until the
Harm that hovers over these Colonies shall be dis-
persed and this Colony with British America shall be
freed from the Calamitous Circumstances under which
it at present Labours, and there with which it is
threatened and that the Representatives of this County
be furnished with a copy of this resolve.
Resolved that Summons issue for George Debrule
and John Read.
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY. 307
On motion Resolved that any seven of this Commit-
tee may during this month meet and transact Business
on any Emergency or presing Necesity.
Committee adjourns to the third Thursday of July
next.
At a meeting of the Committee at thiere Chambers
at Harford County on Thursday the 13th July Present
Messrs. John Mathews, Aquila Hall, Richd. Dallam,
William Webb, Benjamin Rumsey, Thomas Johnson,
Isaac Webster, Amos Garret, Francis Holland, George
Bradford, Charles Anderson, William Bradford, Doctr.
Jos, C. Hall, Geo. Patterson, Aquila Hall, Junr., Bendt.
Hall, Doctr. John Archer.
On motion Mr. John Mathews in the Chair.
Geo. Paterson Clk.
The following fines Recvd. were pd. unto Mr. Richd.
Dallam, Treasurer:
Mr. Francis Holland one shilling.
Mr. Benedict C. Hall Six fines when Clk. paid unto
him 7 shillings.
On motion Resolved that the sum of £4. is, Recvd.
from Mr. John Love and pd. to the late Treasurer for
which he gave no particular acct. of what part thereof
was paid for arms &c., and what part for the poor of
Boston be paid to the preasent Treasurer that he get
proper Information from Mr. Love and account for
the same.
On motion Resol vd. that the Treasurer pay for the
powder &c Engaged by this Committee and have the
same Lodged in a safe place at Lower Cross Roads that
Messrs. Dallam, Archer, Harris, Prall & Johnson or
any three of them provide the same for its safety.
On motion Resolvd. that the seaveral Collectors of
this County do produce Their Subscriptions and the
Amount of their Collections to the next Committee and
that they pay the Seaveral Ballances into the hands of
the Treasurer as thiere is an Immediate Call for the
Money to be transmitted to the poor of Boston and layd
308 HISTORY OF HARFORD county.
out for the purchase of Arms and Ammunition as de-
signed by the Seaveral Donors.
Committee adjourns to Friday the 21st of July.
At a meeting of the Committee at their Chamber at
Harford County on Friday the 21st of July, Present
Messrs. John Mathe,ws, Amos Garret, John B. Howard,
Jacob Bond, Revd. John Clarck, Benj. Rumsey, Alex.
Cowin, Edmund Bull, James Clendenen, James Mc-
Comas, William McComas, Greenberry Dorsey, Thos.
Johnson, William Webb, Benjamin Bayless, Geo. Pat-
terson, Alexander Rigdon, Wm. Jones, Francis Hol-
land, Richd. Dallam, Samuel Ashmead, Edwd. Prall,
James Harris, Doctr. John Archer.
On motion Mr. John Mathews in the Cheare.
Geo. Patterson, Clk.
Stephen Roberts appears before this Committee
and Informs them what he sed Concerning Mr. Benja-
min Rumseys Killing a Lamb Contrary to the Resolves
of the Committee on Mr. Rumseys Request Summons
issue for William Scott & Samuel Caldwell to appear
die next Committee.
Ordered that a petission from Thomas Sheerer be
filed wherein is Contained a Charge agains James Hor-
ner for Reporting that Sheerer has spoke or acted de-
rogatory to American Liberty and that a Summons
issue for James Horner to appear before the next Com-
mittee and support that Charge and vindicate himself
against a Charge of Like Nature.
Information being made to this Committee that
Simon Denney and Thomas Wheeler, Senr., Broke the
Last Contrary to Appointment of the Congress ordered
that Summons issue for them to Appeare before the
next Committee.
Test. Doctr. John Archer.
Information being made to this Committee that Mr.
Thomas Chambers has Spoken Contemptuos Words of
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY. 309
a Sentence of a Committee Thierefore Resolvd. that
he appears before this Committee.
Test: Doctr. Dewet.
Jos. Butler.
Jacob Wheeler.
Mr. Thomas Chalmers appears and upon being
guilty of the Charge accused with gives the following
satisfaction. Whereas the Subscriber has been accused
of Speaking Contemptuous words of a Sentence of
Committee he declares that he Spoke in the Heat of
Passion and without any evil Intention, and that he is
sorry for his Conduct and further declares that he has
the association of the Continental Congress and the
Resolves of the Provincial Convention.
Thomas Chalmers.
Committee adjourns to the ioth day of August.
At a meeting of the Committee at thiere chamber at
Harford County on Thursday the ioth day of August.
Present Messrs. John Mathews, Amos Garret, Aquila
Hall Senr., Bennet Mathews, Alexander Cowan, Sami.
Baylis, Chas. Anderson, James Horner, William Mor-
gan, William Jones, Doctr. Moses Haslett, Geo. Pat-
terson, Sias Billingslea, Thos. Brice, Andw. Howlet,
Jacob Bond.
On Motion Mr. John Mathews in the Cheare.
James Horner & Thos. Shearer Appears before this
Committee and the Charge they are accused of being
Related they are acquitted of Censure.
The Committee Adjourns to Thursday the 17th
August.
At a meeting of the Committee of Harford County
in Harford Town on Thursday the 7th day September
1775. Present Mr. Aquila Hall, Samuel Ashmead,
Isaac Webster, William Smithson, Thomas Johnson,
John Love, William Webb, Francis Holland, James
Clendenin, Benjamin Bradford Norris, Josias Carvel
Hall, James Little, Bennet Mathews, Edwd. Prall, Wil-
liam Jones, Edmund Bull, John Taylor, Greenberry
310 HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
Dorsey, Richard Dallam, John Donahuy, and Amos
Garret.
Mr. Aquila Hall chosen Chairman.
On the motion of Mr. Richard Dallam, Commission
is granted to him to Inlist minute Men to form a Com-
pany to act in a Battalion of minute men to be raised
in this and Baltimore County agreeable to the order
of the Provential Convention.
On motion of Mr. Abraham Garret, Commission is
also granted to him to raise a Company of minute men
&c.
A letter directed to Mr. John Mathews as Chairman
of this Committee with an Anonumous paper stiled a
Dream, was produced to the Committee and read, or-
dered that Mr. John Brown attend the next Com-
mittee.
Committee adjourns to Tuesday 12th.
At a meeting of the Committee of Harford County
at Harford Town on Tuesday 12th day of September
1775. Present Messrs. Aquila Hall, Thomas Bond,
Junr., John Beale Howard, Samuel Ashmead, Jacob
Bond, William Webb, Richard Dallam, Thomas John-
son, John Love, Abraham Whitaker, James McComas,
Edmund Bull, Greenberry Dorsey, William McComas,
William Jones, Freeborn Brown, William Bradford,
Alexander Rigdon, Amos Garret, Charles Anderson
and Edward Prall.
The Committee is desolved according to the order of
the convention.
On which same day to wit, the 12th of September 1775,
soon after the Disolution of the above Committee,
Agreeable to the resolve of the Convention held at An-
napolis the 26th day of July 1775, under the inspection
of Messrs. William Webb, Samuel Ashmead, Richard
Dallam ,and James McComas, late delegates for Har-
ford County were elected by the Freemen of Harford
County the following Gentlemen for a Committee of
Observation to wit: Messrs. William Webb, Aquila
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY. 3II
Hall, Samuel Ashmead, John Love, Amos Garret, Ben-
jamin Rumsey, Edward Prall, John Beale Howard,
Thomas Bond, Benedict Edward Hall, John Patrick,
John Archer, Henry Wilson, Junr., George Patterson,
James Horner, Francis Holland, Thomas Johnson, and
Alexander Cowen, and on the said Day under the In-
spection of Messrs. Wm. Webb, Samuel Ashmead and
James McComas, were elected by the Freemen of Said
County, in pursuance of a Resolve of the said Conven-
tion the following Gentlemen to wit: Messrs. John
Love, Aquila Hall, Thomas Bond, Richard Dallam and
Benjamin Rumsey, as Delegates to represent the said
County in Convention for one year. At which time the
Committee for said County appointed to meet on
Thursday the 21st Instant.
Thursday, 21st September 1775 the Committee met
according to adjournment, present Messrs. Amos Gar-
ret, Thomas Johnson, John Patrick, John Beale PIow-
ard, Edward Prall, George Patterson, Samuel Ash-
mead, William Webb, Alexander Cowen, Benjamin
Rumsey, Thomas Bond, & Aquila Hall.
Mr. Amos Garret in the Chair.
Messrs. Thomas Johnson, Henry Wilson, George
Patterson, Benedict Edward Hall, William Webb,
Amos Garret, and Edward Prall, were elected by bal-
lot, agreeable to the Resolve of the Convention as a
Committee for licensing suits and Messrs. Aquila Hall,
Amos Garrett, John Beale Howard, Alexander Cowan,
and Benj. Rumsey in like manner were elected a Com-
mittee of Correspondence.
A letter from Mr. Abraham Jarret being received
and read, informing the Committee, that he had made up
a Company of minute men, and desiring that some
one or more of the Committee may review them in
order that they may proceed by ballot to elect their
officers.
Resolvd. that the following Gentlemen, or any four
of them review the same on the 2nd of October next
312 HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
to wit, Aquila Hall, Benjamin Rumsey, Samuel Ash-
mead, Alexander Cowen, John Beale Howard, John
Love, Thomas Bond, and Richard Dallam.
The Committee then proceeded to Nominate and
appoint the following persons in the following hun-
dreds to offer and carry the association framed and
resolved upon by the last Convention to all freemen
resident in the said County of Harford, and require
their subscription to the same, and to return the same
to the Committee, and also to return the names of
those that do not on Application or within io days after
sign the same, to the said Committee to be by them
transmitted to the next Convention.
To wit, Deer Creek, Upper Hundred, John Donohoe
and William Fisher, Junior, Alexander Rigdon, Deer
Creek Lower, John Dallam and Winstone Dallam,
Bush Upper, William McComas, Junior, and John
Keen and Robert Harris.
Spesutia Upper, James Moore, (Tanner), Bennet
Mathews, James Clendenning.
Spesutia Lower, Edward Hall, Jacob Forwood,
Francis Holland, Susquehanna Hundred, James Hor-
ner, John Rogers, John Rumsey, Samuel Howell.
Gunpowder, lower hundred, Henry Wetheral, John
Day, junior, John Durham, Alexander Cowen, Benja-
min Rumsey.
Bush, Lower Hundred, John Taylor, Gabriel Van-
horn, William Bond & Henry Wilson, Junr.
Upon application of Mr. Robert Harris to raise a
Comapny of minute men, Resolved that the Committee
approve of and do appoint the said Robert Harris for
that purpose.
Committee adjourns to Monday come week at which
said time the Committee for Licensing Suits set.
At a meeting of the Committee of Harford County
at Harford Town on 2nd of October 1775 present, Mr.
Henry Wilson, Junr., Alexander Cowen, Doctr. John
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY. 313
Archer, George Patterson, William Webb, Thomas
Johnson, Edward Prall, and Amos Garret.
Amos Garret Chairman.
James Horner produces to the Committee the form
of an Association signed by sundry persons of every
Malignant tendency, ordered that summons issue for
David Smith, Patrick Fowler, and that John Osborn,
Michael Gilbert (son of Thomas), James Gilbert and
Andrew Ferguson be also summoned to testify respect-
ing the said paper and that they meet the committee
at their next meeting.
On motion Samuel Bayless is appointed to assist in
Susquehanna Hundred to get the Association Paper
signed.
Committee adjourns to 9th Instant.
At a meeting of the Committee at Harford the 9th
October 1775. Present Messrs. Aquila Hall, George
Patterson, Francis Holland, William Webb, Alexan-
der Cowen, Benedict Edward Hall, Amos Garret,
Thomas Johnson, James Horner, and Benjamin Rum-
sey.
On motion Mr. Aquila Hall in the Chair.
On complaint of William Gale, that James Talbot
of Joppa, Merch, had sold him Oznabrigia 2s.6d. p
yard, it being thought that was an extraordinary price,
ordered that a Summons issue for the said Talbot to
meet the Committee on their next meeting to clear up
that affair.
The Enrollment of several Companies at this time, en-
rolled in this County being Presented by their several
lists are as follows :
Capt. Josias Carvil Hall, and 10 on ft minute (to be
noted the Special returns of each Company.)
Capt. Abraham Jarrett Produces his pole of minute
men. Barnett Bussey 1 Lieutenant, John Davidson 2d
Lieutenant, Asail Hitchcock, Junr., Ensign Privates
79, and returned to the Honle. the Committee of
Safety at Annapolis.
314 HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
According to Summons, Appeared, David Smith,
Patrick Fowler, John Osborn, John Steel, James Gil-
bert, Michael Gilbert and Andrew Fergueson.
And on Submission of John Osborn, John Steel,
James Gilbert, Michael Gilbert and Andw. Furgueson
they were admonished from the Chair and discharged.
Patrick Fowler then examined and repremanded
by the Chair and that he is to make an acknowledge-
ment of his fault before Captain Charles Anderson’s
Company and promise of future amendment of Con-
duct, and procure from Captain Anderson a certificate
of such submission.
On the letter of Mr. Richard Dallam to the Com-
mittee Mr. Thomas Johnson as an assistant in Inlisting
minute men is permitted.
On motion of Mr. Samuel Bayless that he is ob-
structed by Robert and Alexander Kelly from pro-
curing signers to the Association, according to his
Commission, ordered that Summons issue for Said
Robert and Alexander Kelly, appearing before the
next Committee to be held here the 17th day of this
Instant.
Adjourned to 17th Inst.
Did not meet.
On the 24th October 1775 mett in committee, Aquila
Hall, George Patterson, Benjamin Rumsey, Edward
Prall, Doctr. John Archer, Henry Wilson, Thomas
Johnson, & Amos Garret.
Amos Garret in the Chair.
John Wilson Produces his accot. of powder and
Lead, order is given him on Mr. Richard Dallam,
Treasurer for Twenty-nine pounds eight shillings and
six pence half penny the amount thereof.
On application of Mr. Robert Harris who has raised
a Company of Minute men and desire them to be re-
viewed on Thursday the 2d day November next at
Edentown in this County. Mr. Thomas Johnson, Mr.
Edwd. Prall, Doctr. John Archer, Mr. Henry Wilson,
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY. 315
junr., is appointed to view the said Company and make
their return to this Committee.
Committee adjourns to Tuesday 31st October 1775.
On the 31st October 1775 met in Committee, Aquila
Hall, William Webb, Francis Holland, Doctr. John
Archer, Edward Prall, Amos Garret, Benjamin Rum-
sey, John Beale Howard, and George Patterson.
Aquila Hall in the Chair.
On motion a summons issue for John Long to appear
before the Committee on Monday the 6th November
1775-
Committee adjourns to Monday 6th November, 1775.
Met according to adjournment on the 6th Novem-
ber 1775. Messr. Amos Garret, William Webb, Thos.
Johnson, Samuel Ashmead, John Patrick, Edward
Prall, Henry Wilson, George Patterson, John Love.
Mr. Amos Garret in the Chair.
Robert Clark appears before the Committee to
answer to the Summons Issued for him, and on being
accused with speaking Disrespectfully of the Conven-
tion, if through any heat he might have spoke to fast
he is sorry for it and his Consessions is satisfactory to
this Committee.
Committee adjourns to Monday 13th November
1775-
Met according to adjournment on the 13th Novem-
ber 1775. Messrs. Aquila Hall, Thomas Johnson,
James Horner, Edward Prall, John Archer, Henry
Wilson, Junr., & Alex. Cowen.
Mr. Aquila Hall in the Chair.
An application being made by Mr. Benjamin Brad-
ford Norris to assist Messrs. Richard Dallam &
Thomas Johnson to raise a minute Company its
granted.
Committee adjourned to Monday 20th November
1775-
Met according to adjournment on the 20th Novem-
ber 1775. Messrs. Aquila Hall, Alex. Cowen, William
316 HISTORY OF HARFORD county.
Webb, John Archer, Amos Garret, Edward Pratl, John
Patrick, George Patterson, & Henry Wilson, Junr.
Mr. Amos Garret in the Chair.
On motion Resolved that on information of Cap-
tain Robert Harris That one Thomas Treadway, Junr.,
speaking Disrespectfully of the Continentall Congress,
Provential Convention and Committee of this County
that a summons issue for him to appear before this
Committee and answer to the same, and in case he re-
fuse to attend that Capt. Harris with a file of Musqui-
teers shall bring him.
Test : James McCleare,
John Creaton.
Adrew Mclmson.
James Talbot having been summoned, having not
appeared, Capt. A. B. Jarret is ordered to bring him
before the Committee on Monday 27th inst.
John Long having been summonsed and not appear’d
ordered that Capt. Robert Harris bring him before the
Committee on Monday 27th Instant.
Notice received from the Clerk of the Council of
Safety informing the Delegates of this County to at-
tend the Convention held at Annapolis the 14th day of
December next.
On application of John Rogers oder’d that Messrs.
Amos Garret, Francis Holland, Benedict Edward Hall,
go on board said Rogers Brig, lying at Swan Creek,
and examine the paper on board and make report to
this Committee.
Committee adjourned to Monday 27th Instant.
Met according to adjournment on the 27th of No-
vember 1775. Messrs. Amos Garret, Edward Prall,
Alexander Cowen, Thomas Bond, William Webb,
Aquila Hall, John Patrick, George Patterson, and
Henry Wilson, Junr.
Mr. Amos Garret in the Chair.
Mr. James Talbot appeared and is discharged with
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY. 317
a caution not to sell any goods contrary to the resolves
of the Convention for the future.
On application of Cuthbert Warner and Isaiah
Boulderson for money to carry on the Business of Gun
making they are recommended to the Honorable Con-
vention, to receive one hundred Pounds common money
for that purpose.
Captain Robert Harris Produces his roll of Minute
Men, William Cole ist Lieutenant, William Downs
2nd Lieutenant, John Long, Junr., Ensign, Privates
86, and returned to the Honorable Convention of
Maryland.
Committee adjourns to Monday nth December 1775.
Met in Committee as Pr adjournment : Messrs. Amos
Garret, Benedict Edward Hall, Thomas Johnson, Fran-
cis Holland, Doctr. John Archer, Edward Prall and
George Patterson.
Mr. Amos Garret in the Chair.
On motion, a letter with the return of the Associators
and rolls of the Several Companies of said County sent
to the Convention of Maryland.
Committee adjourned to ist. day of January 1776.
January 5th 1776. At a meeting of the Committee
of Harford County this day Present Messrs. Amos
Garret, Samuel Ashmead, James Horner, Henry Wil-
son, Junr., George Patterson, Benedict Edward Hall,
Thomas Johnson, William Webb, John Archer, and
Edward Prall.
Mr. Amos Garret in the Chair.
A Summons is issued for Alexander Rigdon to take
Edward Norris (son of Jos) to answer touching a
Complaint exhibited against him, also to summons as
evidences Andrew Mcempson and Walter Denney.
The Committee proceeded to forming the Batalion
as follows (see the back of the Enrolment) which was
enclosed in a letter to our Representatives.
Committee adjourns to Monday 15th Instant.
January 22nd, 1776, Met in Committee Messrs.
318 HISTORY OF HARFORD county.
Amos Garret, Alexander Cowen, Francis Holland, Wil-
liam Webb, Benedict Edward Hall, Doctr. John
Archer, Edwd. Prall, George Patterson.
Mr. Amos Garret in the Chair.
On motion ordered that Messrs. Thomas Bond, Wil-
liam McComas, James Stewart, appear before this
Committee on Monday the 29th Instant, and order
accordingly given.
On motion ordered that James Barret appear before
this Committee, on Monday the 29th Instant and order
Accordingly given.
On motion of Alexander Rigdon’s not making
returns of Summon’s committed to his care, he is
wrote to, to make Return of them on the 29th of this
Instant.
On motion an order is given to Messrs. Bolderson
and Warner on Mr. James Harris for the Quantity of
two pounds of Powder for the use of this Committee.
Committee adjourns to Monday the 29th on this in-
stant.
January 29 1776, Met in Committee as pr adjourn-
ment, Messrs. Aquila Hall, Senr., Amos Garret, George
Patterson, John Patrick, James Horner, William Webb,
Francis Holland & Doctr. John Archer.
Mr. Aquila Hall in the Chair.
Edward Norris (son of Joseph) appeared before this
Committee and answered to the accusation against him
and on giving him two weeks to make a return to this
Committee on Monday the 13th of February next he is
acquitted, and on failure of the same he is to appear
personally.
On motion resolved that each Captain of every Com-
pany of Militia examine every Musquet in his Company
and such as are out of order said Captain make report
of the same to this committee.
Committee adjourns to Monday the 5th February
1776.
Met according to adjournment in Committee the 5th
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY. 319
February 1776. Messrs. Amos Garret, Samuel Ash-
mead, Henry Wilson, Junr., John Patrick, William
Webb, John Beale Howard, and Thomas Johnson.
Mr. Amos Garret in the Chair.
On motion of Mr. Ignatius Wheeler, Junr., Order’d
that William Coale, Junr., appear before this Commit-
tee on Monday the 19th of this Instant and summons
accordingly issued.
James Barnett not appearing to the summons hereto-
fore given he is accordingly again summon’d and order
given to Ignatius Wheeler, Junior.
Committe adjourns to Monday the 19th Instant 1776.
Met in Committee according to adjournment. Pres-
ent, Messrs. Amos Garret, Aquila Hall, William Webb,
John Beale Howard, Alexander Cowen, Thomas John-
son, and Henry Wilson, Junr.
Mr. Amos Garret in the Chair.
James Barnard appear’d according to a summons for
that purpose and gave satisfaction to this Committee
and is accordingly dismist.
Committee adjourns to Monday 4th March 1776.
Met according to adjournment in Committee the 4th
day of March 1776. Present Messrs. Amos Garret,
William Webb, Henry Wilson, Junr., George Patter-
son, James Homer, Thomas Johnson, Aquila Hall,
John Patrick, Samuel Ashmead, John Archer, John
Love and Francis Holland.
Mr. Aquila Hall in the Chair.
On motion Mr. Ignatius Wheeler is unanimously
chosen Committee man in place of Edward Prall and
also said Wheeler is elected by Ballot one of the Com-
mittee of Licence.
The Committee agrees with Isaac Thomas & John
Cunningham Gunsmiths for making a parcel of mus-
quets which they oblige themselves to do agreeable
to directions which they have and are to receive from
the Committee, as may be divided by the Council of
safety, at the price Musquetes are made for at Bal-
timore to be completed with steel ramrod and Baonet,
320 HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
and they the said Smiths offer Henry Bennington for
their security for the Performance, and as the said
Isaac Thomas and John Cunningham have occasion
of some money to enable them to proceed in their Busi-
ness this Committee receives of Amos Garret, Ten
Pounds ten shillings Publick money he has, and pays
them, in part of said Musquets which they are to
deliver by the first day of April next.
The Committee agrees with Samuel Smith, Gun-
smith for making a Parcell of Musquets which he
obliges himself to do agreeable to directions which he
has and is to receive from the Committee, as may be
directed by the Council of Safety, at the price Mus-
quets are made for at Baltimore, to be compleated with
steel ramrods and Baonets and as the Said Samuel
Smith has occasion of some money to enable him to
proceed in his business this Committee receives of Amos
Garret Ten Pounds Ten Shillings Public Money he
has and pays him in part of said Musquets which he
is to deliver by the first day of April next.
William Coale being Accused of refusing to receive
the Provincial Currency confess’d that he was guilty
of the fact he stands accused of, having done so, this
Committee unanimously resolves that he doing the
same is a high breach of the Association and that he be
Published as directed in the Resolves of the Conven-
tion, and that the same be accordingly made out for
publication.
On motion resolved that Mr. Richard Dallam be
directed to write to Mr. William Paca now in Phila-
delphia to send down the money sent by this County
for the Poor of Boston.
On motion a Letter is framed and sent to the Coun-
cil of Safety to the following purport. Gent., as the
Convention of this Province has ordered to disband
the Companies of minute men and that the Committee
of the Counties pay of the said Companies for which
purpose money will be wanting as well as to comply
with some Contract for arms that this Committee has
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY. 32 1
requested but the amount has not yet been had for
enabling of this Committee to comply with the above
we would hope your Honors will furnish this Com-
mittee with four hundred pounds by Mr. Thomas Hall
for the purpose aforesaid, accounts of which, &c., for
the faithfully laying out, the same shall be rendered
to the next Convention of this Province.
Signed by order. Aquila Hall, Chairman.
Harford Town in Committee.
4th March 1776.
On motion ordered that Captain Alexander Rigdon
bring Edward Norris before this Committee on Mon-
day the nth instant for not complying with the order
of the Committee of observation.
Committee adjourns to Monday nth instant 10
o’clock.
Met in Committee this 18th day March 1776. Pres-
ent Messrs. Aquila Hall, William Webb, Ignatius
Wheeler, Junr., George Patterson, Amos Garret,
Henry Wilson, Junr., Thomas Bond, Alexander
Cowen, Samuel Ashmead & John Patrick.
Mr. Aquila Hall in the Chair.
On application of James Norris to make Cartouch
boxes this Committee agrees to employ him should
they want any.
Capt. Samuel Griffeth is order’d to bring James
Oliver, Junr., with a file Musquets on Monday the
twenty-fifth of this Instant before the Committee, to
answer such things as shall be alledged against him
and to summons Samuel Dooley as an evidence against
Oliver.
The Committee received per order to Thomas Hall
from the Council of safety Four Hundred Pounds.
Paid Captain Harris one hundred and Twenty-nine
Pounds, Eighteen shillings.
Paid Captain Bussey Fifty-nine pounds ten shillings
per. Accot. and Receipt.
3 22 HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
Paid Mr. Amos Garret twenty-one pounds as lent the
Gunsmiths. Ordered that Mr. Richard Dallam lay out
the money transmitted to Philadelphia for the Poor of
Boston in good arms for the use of this Committee.
Mr. Richard Dallam is desired to enquire of the Con-
gress rspecting the resolves about the use of tea.
Also he is desired to apply to the Congress for some
Powder and Lead for the use of this Committee as it
will be necessary to guard our Shores by Companies
to be constantly employed.
The following persons are appointed to carry the
Association about for signing Viz. For Bush River
Lower Hundred, James McComas, Daniel Scott (son
of Aquila), Samuel Durham and Wm. Jones. For
Spesutia Upper John Love, Edmund Bull, Edward
Prigg, Bennet Mathews.
For Harford Upper, William Bradford, Junior,
Richard Willmot, Junior, Michael Gilbert.
For Spesutia Lower, Francis Holland, John Carlile.
For Harford Lower, Edward Hall, William Hollis.
For Deer Creek Upper, Alexander Rigdon, James
Barnett, William Ashmore, Robert Morgan, Joseph
Wilson (son of John).
For Susquehanna, Captain John Dodgers, James
Horner, Samuel Howell, William Bonar, Hugh Smith,
Samuel Bailey.
For Bush River Upper, James Scott and Thomas
Hope.
For Eden, Gabriel Vanhorn, Charles Baker and Jas.
Lytle.
For Deer Creek Lower, John Patrick, William Mor-
gan and John Dallam.
For Gunpowder Lower, Alexander Cowen.
For Gunpowder Upper, Maj. John Taylor, Capt.
Samuel Calwell, and Captain Bennet Bussey.
Mr. Richard Dallam received of Mr. Robert Christie
Forty-eight pounds, twelve shillings and six pence in
part of an order on him for one hundred pounds for
Warner & Balderston.
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY. 323
Committee adjourns to Monday the 25th instant.
March 25, 1776. Committee met according to Ad-
journment. Present Messrs. Amos Garret, Doctr.
John Archer, James Horner, Alexander Cowen, John
Patrick, William Webb, George Patterson & Col. Ben-
jamin Rumsey.
Doctr. John Archer in the Chair.
Captain Samuel Griffith appears according to order
with James Oliver, and on examination of said Oliver,
this Committee is of opinion that he appear before
Colonel Aquila Hall’s Battalion, on the first Satur-
day in April next, or the meeting said Battalion at
William Hossons old field their to be tried according to
the nature of the offence, and Archibald Johnson,
Junior, undertake to bring said Oliver before said
Battalion at their meeting, on pain of suffering the
same punishment inflicted on Said Oliver, as may be
the opinion of said Battalion.
Test: Samuel Dooley.
Ordered that a copy of the above minute be sent to
Col. Hall.
Whereas it has been proven upon oath before the
Committee of Harford County that I have been so in-
senseable to the Justice of the American Cause as to
speak in Terms highly reflecting on the glorious oppo-
sition carried on against the tyrannical and despotic
design proceedings of the Ministry and Parliament of
Great Brittain. A Conduct I am exceedingly sorry
I have been guilty of, and am fully convinced that I
have justly in so doing offended my Patriotic Country-
men who are and have been engaged in so noble and
glorious a struggle I do therefore (being fully con-
vinced of the Iniquity of such Conduct) humbly beg
Pardon of my offended Countrymen, promising in
future by my conduct to regain their favour by a ready
obedience to the Rules and orders of the Congress and
Convention and to the Officers by them put in author-
ity over me. James Oliver.
324 HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
Ordered, that Capt. John Patrick bring Samuel
Smith before this Committee on Monday 1st day of
April next to answer such questions as shall be asked
him, and also summons William Snodgrass.
Committee adjourns to the 1st day of April, 1776.
Met in Committee April 8th 1776. Messrs. Amos
Garret, Samuel Ashmead, Alexander Cowen, John
Love, Benedict Edward Hall, Henry Wilson, Jun., &
Ignatius Wheeler, Jun.
Samuel Smith appeared before this Committee and
acknowledged his fault and said he was sorry for the
same, therefore he is dismist. Capt Greenberry Dor-
sey is requested to bring before this Committee on
Monday the 15th Instant George Mulheron to answer
to a Complaint against him for forgery.
Committee adjourns to Monday the 15th instant.
Committee met according to Adjournment. Present
Messrs. Aquila Hall, Amos Garret, John Beale How-
ard, Thomas Johnson, George Patterson, James Hor-
ner, William Webb, Samuel Ashmead, Henry Wilson,
Jun., Benedict Edward Hall, John Archer, Francis
Holland, and Ignatius Wheeler, Jun.
Mr. Aquila Hall in the Chair.
On motion resolved that after this day every member
not appearing (without a reasonable excuse) by ten
o’clock on days appointed shall pay one shilling to be
applyed to the use of this Committee.
On motion resolved that it is agreed that John Pat-
terson be appointed to collect the Fines and Forfit-
ness, in the Twenty-third Battalion agreeable to the
Resolve of the late Convention. — Gabriel Vanhorn for
the eight Battalion and William Whiteford for the
North side of Deer Creek, including Captain Glens
Company and the said persons are ordered to disarm
the Non associators (agreeable to the Resolves of the
late Convention) in their respective Districts.
Committee adjourns to Monday the 22nd Instant at
10 o’clock.
Committee met according to adjournment. Present
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY. 325
Messrs. John Archer, William Webb, Alexander
Cowen, John Beale Howard, Benedict Edward Hall,
Fras. Holland, Ignatius Wheeler, Jun., Henry Wilson,
Jun., George Patterson, and Aquila Hall.
Mr. Amos Garret in the Chair.
Capt. Bennet Bussey is wrote to, to render an
accot. of the Public Arms in his Company.
Capt. Samuel Smith has an order for one pound of
Powder.
A Letter is wrote to the Honorable Council of Safety
of Maryland, informing them of three Companies being
enrolle’d on the North side of Deer Creek Viz. William
Webb, John Patrick, and John Jolleys.
The Committee purchases of Doctr. Hall a draw
bow Gun for £5.0.0. and an order given him on Mr.
Aquila Hall for the same.
Committee adjourns to Monday the 29th Instant.
Committee met according to Adjournment. Present
Messrs. Aquila Hall, Amos Garret, Thomas Johnson,
Francis Holland, Alexander Cowen, William Webb,
Benedict Edward Hall, Doctr. John Archer, John
Beale Howard, and George Patterson.
Mr. Amos Garret in the Chair.
On motion, a Letter falling into the hands of this
Committee it being from a suspicious quarter, it was
ordered to be opened and read, and finding nothing in it
but what was innocent &c order’d to be Sealed and
Directed to the Committee of Cumberland County in
Pennsylvania for the speedy conveyance of it to the
Person to whom it is directed.
On motion ordered that Gabriel Vanhorn, bring Jo-
seph Presbury, Senr., before this Committee, on Mon-
day the 6th of May, to show cause why he does not
give up his fire arms & ct.
Richard White brings 41 Cartouch boxes to this
Committee for which they agree to pay him 7s.6d.
each, and receives an order on Col. Aquila Hall for
the same.
326 HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
Capt. Robert Harris is wrote to to produce his accot.
to the Committee on Monday the 6th of May next.
Committee Adjourns to Monday the 6th May next
1776.
Committee met according to adjournment. Present
Messrs. Amos Garret, Alexander Cowen, Francis Hol-
land, William Webb, Henry Wilson, Junr., Thomas
Johnson, George Patterson, Aquila Hall, and Benedict
Edward Hall.
Mr. Amos Garret in the Chair.
In Compliance to the Instructions of the Council of
safety the Committee has advertised to take what
Blankets is produced to this Committee and give a
reasonable price for the same.
Capt. Griffith returns to this Committee three Fines,
against Edward Ward Jun. 3s.9d. each, amounting to
1 is. 3d., which Warrant is granted to John Patterson
Levy the same.
Capt. Harris returns his Acct. and pays the Balance,
the sum paid him the 18th March is altered to the
right sum.
Captain Rumsey appears and informs the guns re-
ceived for the minute company under his command is
returned to Mr. Samuel Purviance all but three mus-
quets which shall be returned by first opportunity.
On application of Capt. Bussey, Capt. James Stewart
is wrote to release a man in his Company called Ed-
ward Cowen.
Mr. William Smithson renders his Acct. against
this Province for Wagonedge of Powder for which he
is allowed i3.15s.od. and an order is given him on Col.
Aquila Hall.
On motion in Committee it is resolved that the Re’d
Mr. West be requested during the time the present
unhappy dispute Between Great Brittain and the Col-
ony subsists to omit in the Morning and Evening
Service, such part of the Prayers, where the King and
Royal family of England are Perticularly named, and
that Francis Holland and George Patterson wait on
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY. 327
Mr. West with a copy of this Resolve and get his
Answer.
On motion of James Holms his disposition is filed,
and warrant issued against Robert Burney Lendrum to
appear before this Committee on Monday the Thir-
teenth Instant and directed to Capt. Samuel Griffith.
Committee Adjourns to Monday 13th May 1776.
Committee met according to adjournment. Present
Messrs. Amos Garret, William Webb, Samuel Ash-
mead, Alexander Cowen, John Patrick, Ignatius
Wheeler and Henry Wilson, Jun.
Mr. Amos Garret in the Chair.
The Reverend Mr. West being furnished with a copy
of the Resolve made the last meeting, we are furnished
with his reasons, together with his letter to Messrs.
Holland & Patterson, and to the Chairman the occa-
sions . . . were put, and as the Sence of the Committee
at the time of the Motion aforesaid and Resolve thereon
was purely for the sake of Peace and good Order, in
the district under the Rectorship of the Said Mr. West
(there having been some uneasiness to us made
known) on Occasion his useing the Prayers mentioned
in the Resolve in the Service of the Church. This Com-
mittee resolve that as several Members of the body are
Absent, so that we cant give it as full a Consideration
as the Nature of the Case may require, and as the
Convention at this Time is setting that the matter with
us Rest, and that the reasons offer’d by Mr. West
together with his Letters aforesaid, and this our Reso-
lution be transmitted to our Delegates as they may
take the sense of the Convention thereon.
An Account is Transmitted to the Honorable Con-
vention of a Company being Inrolled by William Mor-
gan requesting Commissions for the Officers of said
Company, and likewise a Commission is requested for
James Ford, first Leiutenant of Capt. John Rodgers
Company, in the room of William Godgrace who has
resigned.
328 HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
A Summons is issued for James Holms & wife, and
Thomas Bond.
A Permit is given for the Schooner Nancy navi-
gated by two Hands to pass to Baltimore loaded with
Forty-Two barrels of Flour and Six barrels of Shad.
Isaac Thomas has brought four Guns and three
Bayonets to the Committee.
Captain Alexander Cowen is ordered to seize all the
Fire Arms of Joseph Presbury.
Committee Adjourns to Monday the 20th Instant.
Met in Committee the 20th of May 1776 as pr.
adjournment. Messrs. Amos Garret, William Webb,
Benedict Edward Hall, John B. Howard, Ignatius
Wheeler, Junr., Francis Holland & George Patterson.
Mr. Amos Garret in the Chair.
On motion an order is given Capt. Samuel Smith on
Mr. Thomas Hall in the absence of his father Col.
Aquila Hall for the Sum of Sixty Pounds, for which
said Smith has given his Receipt for the use of Carry-
ing on Gunmaking.
The Committee advances Seven Pounds to Isaac
Thomas and John Cunningham, by the hands of Henry
Benning, order given on Thomas Hall for the money.
June 10th 1776. Met in Committee Messrs. Amos
Garret, John B. Howard, Alexander Cowen, Thomas
Johnson, Benedict Edward Hall, Ignatius Wheeler, Jr.,
Francis Holland, George Patterson and John Archer.
Mr. Amos Garret in the Chair.
In Recess of the Committee granted Licence to the
Schooner Luckey, James Shaw Master laden with fire-
wood to Baltimore Town, also the Schooner Polly
Stephen Johnson Master from Baltimore with four
hands, with a load of plank, permitted to Land it and
Return.
Ordered that Captain Gian bring Edward Norris
(son of Joe) before this Committee on the 18th of this
Instant and also to summons Vincent Bosley to appear
at the same time.
Resolved, that John Rodgers, Samuel Howell, Thos.
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY. 329
Hope, Samuel Bailey, James Little, John Taylor &
Samuel Caldwell to take in Associations be required
to make their returns immediately to this Committee.
Summons Thomas Strong, James Thomas, George
Deboular, Joseph Lusby, James Little, and Elijah
Blackstone, to appear before the Committee of this
Coty. on Monday the 18th of this Instant to answer
to such questions as may be asked them Respecting
their refusing to deliver their firearms agreeable to the
Resolutions of the Convention.
William Down, Produces two Musquets for which
the Committee agrees to give him Six pounds, and an
order given him on Col. Aquila Hall.
Committee adjourns to Monday the 18th Instant.
The following Gentlemen met in Committee as pr.
Adjournment, Messrs. Amos Garret, William Webb,
John Love, Thomas Johnson, Ignatius Wheeler, Junr.,
J. B. Howard, Doctr. John Archer & George Patter-
son.
Major John Archer in the Chair.
On motion Summons James Taylor, Jun., for behav-
ing refractory to Capt. Greenberry Dorsey and his
Company, and also summons James Dennason to ap-
pear and attest against said Taylor, also James Mc-
Crackin, James Gordon and Joseph Everest.
Capt Cowen you are desired to Summon and bring
before this Committee a certain James Debrular
charged with speaking words tending to destroy the
present opposition by Arms, summons also to Testify
on the charge Doct. Annin and Michael Gilbert.
On motion Mr. Thomas Johnson is appointed to call
in Messrs. Capt. Samuel Smith & Cuthbert Warner to
inspect and make a return of the repairs that are neces-
sary to be made and a number of arms collected from
non-enrollers and of such as were purchased from some
of the Inhabitants, and make a report of the same.
Mr. William Hall produces a Musquet for which the
Committee agrees to give him twenty-five shillings and
an order given him on Col. Aquila Hall.
330
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
I. Gun — Nathan Horner lock and stock good.
i . do. — Samuel Ruketts do.
i. do do.
i. do. —25s.,.
1. do. — 25s. James Wilson to be repair’d, stock &
Mounting.
1. do. — 20s. Benjamin Meads do. do.
1. do. — 25s. Richard Monk. do. do.
1. do. — 25s. James White do. do.
1. do. — 30s. Samuel Ruketts do. do.
1. do. — 30s. Luke Swift do. do.
1. do. — 30s. George York do. do.
1. do. — 40s. James Butters do. do.
1. do. — 25s. Nicholas Allender do. do.
The above return made according to Order the 17th
June 1776. On motion Mr. Gabriel Vanhorn’s Prayer
is to be considered on our next days meeting.
Cuthbert Warner Produces thirteen Musquets to this
Committee for which this Committee agrees to give
him.
Committee adjourns to Monday the 1st July 1776.
Committee met according to Adjournment present
Messrs. Amos Garret, John Beale Howard, Thomas
Johnson, Samuel Ashmead, Henry Wilson, Jun., Geo.
Patterson, Alexander Cowen, Benedict Edward Hall,
John Archer & Ignatius Wheeler, Junior.
Mr. Amos Garret in the Chair.
On motion Resolved that where any person has been
fined and it is afterward remitted that he pays the
Collector Seven and a half pr. C. on the Sum fined for
his trouble.
George Debrular, Joseph Lusby, James Little, and
Elijah Blackstone appeared agreeable to summons and
gave Satisfaction.
Thomas Strong appeared and his Case is further put
off to the first Monday in August next.
Capt. Greenberry Dorsey is Commanded to bring
James Taylor, Jun., before this Committee on Monday
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY. 33 1
the 1st day of August next to answer to such Ques-
tions as may be asked him.
Capt. Samuel Griffith is commanded to Summons
Stephen Crouch to answer to a Complaint for Mis-
demeanor, and Summons John Hughes and John Chan-
cey to testify against him on the first Monday in Au-
gust next.
Resolved that this Comittee allow four pounds five
shillings for a Gun and Bayonet, and twenty shillings
for a Gun Barrel, to Benedict Edward Hall, and an
order is given him on the Treasurer for the same.
Met in special Committee Thursday the nth July
1776. Present Messrs. Aquila Hall, Amos Garret,
Francis Holland, Doctr. John Archer, Alexander
Cowen, Benedict Edward Hall, Thomas Johnson, John
Beale Howard, John Love, Ignatius Wheeler, Jun.,
William Webb & George Patterson.
On motion, Ordered that the Resolve of the Conven-
tion respecting the appointment of the Officers of a rifle
Company be raised in this County be Read, it was
accordingly done when the following Gentlemen were
by Ballot duly elected. To Wit :
Alexander Smith Captain.
James White Hall ist. Lieutenant.
William Bradford 2d Lieutenant.
Josias Hall 3d Lieutenant.
On motion Resolved that Capt. Caldwell, Hugh
Kirkpatrick, Major John Archer and Francis Holland
be a Committee for Examination of Guns and there re-
port of their Sufficiency be a Guide for this Committee
to receive them by, and that their first meeting be on
Monday the 15th of this Instant at the Cross Roads.
Sirs,
Agreeable to a resolve of the late Convention im-
powering the Committee of this County to appoint the
Officers of a rifle Company to be raised within this
County, we have chosen and do recommend the follow-
ing Gentlemen as worth of Commissioners, to wit :
Alexander Lawson Smith, Captain ; James White Hall,
332 HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
first Lieutenant ; William Bradford, Jun., Second Lieu-
tenant; Josias Hall, third Lieutenant, whose Conduct
we flatter ourselves will do honour to them, and Justifie
the choice of this Committee.
The Committee adjourns to the first Monday in
August next.
Met in Committee according to adjournment on
Monday the 5th August 1776. Messrs. Amos Garret,
Aquila Hall, William Webb, Thomas Johnson, Francis
Holland, John Patrick, Ignatius Wheeler, Junr., and
George Patterson.
On Motion, Resolved that the Constable take the
Number of the Whites and Blacks of both Sexes in
this County agreeable to a Resolve of the Congress and
Council of Safety of Maryland. The Schooner Sally
and Polly, Capt. Stephen Johnson from Nanticoke is
permitted to land her Load, consisting of Lumber and
to return to Baltimore Town.
On motion a letter is sent to Edward Mitchell, re-
questing him to withdraw his distress now on George
Rays effects for Rent.
James Taylor, Jun., appears before this Committee
and ackowledged that he had been refractory to Capt.
Dorsey, and he is sorry for his past Conduct, and
Promises to be Conformable in future.
Mr. Robert Stokes presents a Fine for which this
Committee agrees to give him four pounds ten shillings
and delivered her to Mr. John Beale Hall, first Lieu-
tenant of Capt. Paca’s Company.
Mr. Joseph Styles presents his Accot. for keeping a
mare to forward Express for wch. this Committee
agrees to allow him i5s.iod.
Capt. John Rodgers Presents his Acct. for ferriage
of four waggon load of Arms and Ammunition for
which this Committee agrees to allow him 20s. payable
to Mr. Amos Garret.
Mr. James Mathers presented a Musquet for which
this Committee agrees to give him four pounds.
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY. 333
On motion an Advertisement is framed for Purchas-
ing Blankets &c for the use of this Province.
On Motion, Resolved that Mr. Richard Dallam pay
into the hands of this Committee the Monies he re-
ceived for the poor of Boston.
On applycation of Capt. John Patrick Warrants is
granted for the following Persons Viz. Joshua Staple-
ton, John Scantlin, Job Barns for non Attendance.
Committee adjourns to Monday the 13th Instant.
Met in Committee the 19th day of August 1776,
Messrs. Amos Garret, William Webb, Samuel Ash-
mead, John Patrick, Benjamin Rumsey, Thomas Bond,
Thomas Johnson, Alex. Cowen & George Patterson.
Mr. Amos Garret in the Chair.
On motion, Edward Mitchell is wrote to, to attend
this Committee on Monday the 2d day of September
concerning a distress laid on George Ray.
By Virtue of an order from the Council of Safety,
sent 9 Musquets cherry tree stocks, two with bayonets,
11 Walnut stocks, 6 with Bayonets, 1 with Bayonet
. . . of Benedict Edward Hall, 1 old from William
Hall, 1 new from Mathers, with Bayonet, 1 draw bow
from C. Hall, 1 old from Capt. Griffith, 2 old do. from
William Downs, in all 27, to Col. Hyde at Baltimore
Town, in the same Waggon, went 35 Guns and Bayo-
nets made by Mr. Dallam, and 26 Cartouch boxes be-
longing to the province and 41 bought by this Com-
mittee for the Province, under the care of William
Cooper, Serjant of Capt. Busseys Company. Bot. 1
Gun of Capt. Griffith for the use of the Province
£i.2s.6d. Wrote to Col. Hyde with the above Guns
& Cartouch boxes.
Resolved that Mr. Samuel Ashmead be appointed to
ride in Bush river Upper, Spesutia & Eden Hundreds,
Bradford Norris in Bush lower, Gunpowder upper and
lower Hundreds, Mr. William Jones in Harford Upper
and Lower and Spesutia lower, William Webb, Esq.,
all the North side of Deer Creek, Mr. Francis Durbin,
334 HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
Susquehanna, and purchase guns and Blankets agree-
able to the Request of the Council of Safety.
Resolved that the above Collections be allowed ios.
pr. day. Wrote to the Council of Safety for £300 to
buy Guns and Blankets.
Committee adjourns to Tuesday 27th August.
Met in Committee as pr. Adjournment Messrs Amos
Garret, Col. Benjamin Rumsey, Col. Aquila Hall, Sam-
uel Ashmead, James Horner, Alex. Cowen, Col. Thos.
Bond, Francis Holland, William Webb, Ignatius
Wheeler, Thomas Johnson, & George Patterson.
Mr. Amos Garret in the Chair.
Resolved that the Collectors in the several Hun-
dreds in this County for purchasing Blankets and Guns
shall return a true List of the Blankets and Guns to
this Committee on oath, with a List of Persons of
whom they purchased them of.
This Committee has received of the Council of Safety
of this Province pr. the hands of Benja. Bradford Nor-
ris, The Sum of Three Hundred Pounds for which the
Chairman gives a Receipt.
Mr. John Wilson produces his Acct. to this Com-
mittee of two Casks of Brimstone amot. i4.2s.od. for
which this Committee gives an order on Col. Aquila
Hall for the Same.
Advanced to William Webb out of the Money Re-
ceived the Sum of £65. Also to Samuel Ashmead £65.
to William Jones £65. to Benjamin Bradford Norris
£65. to Francis Durbin £40 for the purpose of buying
Guns and Blankets.
Committee adjourns to Monday the 2d of Septem-
ber 1776.
Met in Committee as pr. Adjournment Messrs. Amos
Garret, Col. Benjamin Rumsey, Aquila Hall, Thomas
Johnson, William Webb, Ignatius Wheeler, Junr.
John Beale Howard, George Patterson and Alexander
Cowen.
Mr. Amos Garret in the Chair.
James Brown presents a Gun to this Committee for
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
335
which they agree to give him 45s. and an order given
Mr. Aquila Hall for the same. Mr. William Webb
presents a Musquet for which this Committee agrees
to give him four pounds, and paid him the same.
Mr. Amos Garrett presents a Musquet to this Com-
mittee, for which they agree to give him Four pounds,
and paid him the same.
Brought in and delivered to this Committee by Capt.
Griffiths Company Eleven Cartouch Boxes.
Brought in and delivered to this Committee by John
Hughes Lieutenant to Capt. Griffith Eight Cartouch
Boxes.
Brought in and delivered to this Committee by Capt.
Bradford, Ten Cartouch boxes.
Brought in and delivered to this Committee by Capt.
Darsey seven Cartouch Boxes.
Sent to the Head of Elk in A. Andrews Waggon 1 66
Blankets for Col. Halls Battalion &c.
Committee adjourns to Wednesday nth Instant.
Met in Committee as pr. Adjournment Messrs. Col.
Benjamin Rumsey, Col. Aquila Hall, Amos Garret,
William Webb, Samuel Ashmead, Ignatius Wheeler,
Jun., Alexander Cowen, John Beale Howard, & George
Patterson.
Mr. Amos Garret Chairman.
Mr. William Webb presents a draw bow Gun with
Bullet molds for which the Committee gives him Five
Pounds.
Messrs. Giles & Smith produce their Acct. for Cart-
ing Powder and Arms Four pounds five shillings,
order’d to be paid by Col. Hall.
Nevin Kerr produces a Musquet with Bayonet and
steel Rammer ... by John Archer, Hugh Kirkpat-
rick & Samuel Caldwell order’d to be paid by Col Hall,
f4.5s.od.
Col. Hall order’d to pay Mr. Prig for a gun, f3.0s.0d.
do. .do. .to. .Benjamin Smith 1 Gun 3. 5s.od.
do. .do. .to. .James Byard 2.ios.od.
do. .do. .to. .Josias Hitchcock for taxes. . 3. 5s.od.
33^ HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
(Not paid) . .do. .to. .George Patterson for
Nathan Baileys Gun 2. 5s.od.
do. .do. .to. .Edwd Prig for taking Taxa-
bles i.io.4d.
1776 September nth The following is a List of
Blankets brought in by the several Collectors.
William Webb 43
Ignatius Wheeler, Jun 38
Francis Durbin. 22
Benjamin Bradford Norris 28
William Jones 34
do. — 5 smooth bores & 3 Rifles 166
Benjamin Bradford Norris 2 Mur. 1 S. B 21
Samuel Ashmead 36
do 2 small Rugs 239
Delivered Abraham Andrews 166
do. Ensign Patterson 7
do. Isaac Johnson 1
Ordered that an advertisement be set up, that this
Committee is Desolved.
The Time this Committee being elected for, being
expired, they now Desolve themselves.
At an election for Harford County held at Harford
Town being postponed from the 25th to the 27th of
Nov. 1776 the following Gentlemen were elected agree-
able to the Resolve of the late Convention, a Committee
of observation for the Said County Viz. Messrs. Thos.
Johnson, George Patterson, Amos Garret, Sami. Ash-
mead, William Webb, Col. Aquila Hall, Alex. Cowen,
John Love, Benjamin Bradford Norris, James Mc-
Comas, Henry Wilson, Jun., Abraham Whitaker, John
Archer, Thomas Bond, Jun., William Smithson, Green-
berry Dorsey, James Clendenning and Ignatius
Wheeler, Jun., and by notice on Monday the 2d day of
December the Committee met when the Members pres-
ent Viz. Messrs. Amos Garret, Thomas Johnson, Ben-
jamin Bradford Norris, James McComas, Henry Wil-
son, Jun., James Clendenning, Sami. Ashmead, Alex.
Rigdon, and Alexander Cowen.
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
337
Mr. Amos Garret in the Chair.
The Committee proceed to Choose a Committee of
Licence when the following Gentlemen were Elected
by Ballot Viz. — Messrs. Amos Garret, George Patter-
son, Thomas Johnson, James McComas, Sami. Ash-
mead, William Smithson, and Benjamin Bradford Nor-
ris.
On application of Elinor Higons
She is Permitted to bring hir
Action against Howard Van.
and on Applycation of Barnet
Preston he is Permited to
Bring his Action against Jo-
siah Radclief.
Committee of Ob-
servation till
the first Mon-
day of Next.
Met in Committee Messrs. Amos Garret, Thomas
Johnson, Benja. Bradford Norris, James McComas,
Capt. Alexander Cowen, Greenberry Dorsey, James
Clendening, William Webb, Ignatius Wheeler, Jun.,
William Smithson.
On applycation of Walter Tolley he is permitted to
bring his action of a Plea of Trespass on the case
against William Linton administrator of Isiah Linton
and licence given the Clk.
On applycation of Capt. William Smith he is per-
mitted to bring his Action of a Plea of Trespass on the
Case against Dan’l Nutterwell and licence given the
Clk.
On Applycation of Archibald McMurphy he is per-
mitted to warrent James Taylor, Jun., and warrent
given him.
On applycation of William Prigdon he is Permitted
to Warrent Daniel Price and Warrent given him.
On applycation of Neamiah Barns he is permitted to
to Warrent Daniel Price and Warrent given him.
On Applycation of Thomas Pendergast he is permit-
ted to warrant William Henderide and warrant given
him.
33& HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
On applycation of Freeborn Brown in Behalf of Ed-
ward Prall he is Permitted to bring his action of a
Plea of Debt against Isaac Johnson and licence given
him.
Committee adjourns to Monday the 13th Inst.
Jany. 27 1777 Committee met, Present Messrs. Amos
Garret, William Webb, John Love, Thomas Johnson,
Alexander Cowen, Benja. B. Norris, and James Mc-
Comas.
Mr. Amos Garret in the Chair.
Commissions is granted to William Allender to col-
lect the fines imposed on the non-associators on the
North Side of Deer Creek and to Edward Carvil Tol-
ley in the room of John Pattison in Spesutia, Susque-
hanna Lower and Harford Lower Hundreds.
On Application of Joseph Scarbrou he is permitted
to Warrent Isaac Johnson.
On applycation of Hugh Jeffreys he is permitted to
bring his action against.
Ditto of do. he is Permitted to
warrent John Smith Fuller.
Isaac Johnson on Applycation of John Mahan he is
permitted to bring his action against George Ree, on
application of John McComas he is permitted to war-
rent Isaac Daws, The Committee adjourns to Tuesday
the 4 Feby next.
Committee met agreeable to adjournment, Present
Messrs. Amos Garret, Ignatius Wheeler, Benja. Brad-
ford Norris, Col. Aquila Hall, Abraham Whitaker,
James McComas, George Pattison, William Webb, and
Alexander Cowan.
Mr. Amos Garret in the Chair.
On Application of Mary Thompson she is permitted
to warrant Jane Harne, on application of William
Jones he is permitted to bring his action against Rob-
ert Smith, on application of Daniel Nutterwell he is
permitted to bring his action against John Rodgers.
On application of Joshua Jones and wife they are per-
mitted to bring their action against Isaac Johnson. On
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
339
applycation of Philip Dunagan he is permitted to war-
rant Utie Camdess. On application of Morris Dixon
he is permitted to warrant James McCarty.
On Application of Andrew Hall he is permitted to
warrant George Closs. On application of Joseph Mor-
rison he is permitted to warrant William Brown. On
application of William Boarman he is permitted to
bring his action of a plea of Tresspass on the Case
Against Thomas Cowan and licence given, on appli-
cation of Charles Whitlatch he is permitted to warrent
James Norris.
Resolv’d that this Committee Rite to Gen’l Buchan-
nan Informing him of the Companys on the North
side of Deer Creek not being form’d in Battalion &c.
Committee adjourned to Monday the nth Inst.
February 17th 1777 Committee met Present Mes.
Amos Garret, Wm. Webb, Ignatius Wheeler, Abraham
Whitaker, James McComas, Thomas Johnson, Benja-
min Bradford Norris, James Clendinen, Samuel Ash-
mead, Mr. Amos Garrett in the chair. Mr. Benja-
min Bradford Norris Produces a Letter from the
Council of Safety and brings to the Committee £150
and requests a settlement of our accounts with them
which money is put into the hands of Thomas John-
son one of this Committee.
Received of Captain Samuel Smith 13 Guns & Bayo-
nets. Received of James May of Mr. Richard Dallams
Factory Nineteen Guns and Bayonets.
On applycation of Nathan Gallion he is permitted to
bring his action against Garrett Garitson. On applyca-
tion Mieaja Mitchale licences is granted him to war-
rant Thomas Waningwain John Steele.
On applycation of Ann Huggins Licence is granted
to her to bring her Warrant against David Evina. On
application of James Kennedy Licence is granted him
to bring his warrant against John Demor and Hugh
Jeffres.
On application of Benjamin Bradford Norris Licence
is granted him to prosecute his action against Joseph
Gibbins.
340 HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
On application of James Anderson Licence is
granted to him to Warrant Isaac Hichcock & Thos.
Grimbrooks. On application of William Allender
licence is granted him to Warrant William Shody.
On application of Gabriel Vanhorn licence is Granted
him to Warrant Joseph Lewes.
Committee adjourns to Monday the 24th instant.
March 3 1777 Committee Met. Present Messrs.
Amos Garret, Wm. Webb, Thomas Johnson, Ignatius
Wheeler, Junr., Henry Wilson, Junr., Aquila Hall, Jas.
McComas, Benj. Bradford Norris & James Clenden-
ing.
Mr. Amos Garret Chairman.
On application of Helen Kinsey she is permitted to
bring her Action against Tho. Strong & Lambert Wil-
mer Administrators to the Estate of Benjamin Rickets
Deceas’d and licence is given the Clk.
On application of Edwd. Ward, Jun., he is permitted
to Warrant John Ross and Warrant is accordingly
given.
On application of Daniel Price he is permitted to
bring his Action agt. Joshua Jones and wife in a
Tresspass on the Case.
On application of John Mathers he is permitted to
Bring his Action of a Tresspass on the Case against
Thaders Jewett & License is given the Clk.
On application of John Brown he is permitted to
Warrant Sami. Grunlee & Warrant is accordingly
given.
On application of James Holmes he is permitted to
Warrant Robert Mills & Warrant is accordingly given.
On application of James Holmes he is permitted to
warrant Stephen White & warant is accordingly given.
Hall and Alexr. Cowan.
On application of Nathan McClenner he is permitted
to Warrant James Cherry and Warrant is accordingly,
given.
The Committee appointed Messrs. Aquila Hall &
Amos Garret to adjust the Donations of the Poor of
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY. 34I
Boston and to return the money to the Subscribers in
proportion to their Donations.
The Committee adjourns to Monday next.
March ioth 1777 Committee met. Present Messrs.
Amos Garrett, Ignatius Wheeler, Wm. Webb, Thomas
Johnson, Abraham Whitaker, James McComas, Aquila
Hall and Alex. Cowan.
Mr. Amos Garret in the Chair.
On application of Joshua Jones and wife they are
permitted to warrant Samuel Jenkins, on application of
Francis Curtis having giving to Prossecute the fol-
lowing sutes in Court agains Robert Gordon & Grisel
Poake and against Tudor Chalk & Elizabeth his wife
Administrators of Robert. On application of Nath-
aniel Gallion leave is granted Martha Gallion to bring
her Action of a Plea of Debt against Garret Garret-
son and Licence given Clk.
On applycation of Thomas Bay he is permitted to
Warrant Doct. David Benfield and Warrant Given.
On applycation of Abraham Whitaker he is per-
mitted to bring his Action of a plea of Tresspass on the
Case against James Trew.
On applycation of Hugh Kirkpatrick leave is granted
James Montgomery to bring his Action of a plea of
Debt against Walton & William Robinson.
On application of Hugh Kirkpatrick he has leave to
bring his action of a plea of Trespass on the case
against the Execut. of David Thomas.
On application of Jacob Wheeler he is permitted to
Warrant Richard Coope.
On application of Buchanan & Cowan they have
leave to bring theire Action of a plea of Trespass on
the Case against Jonathan Lyon.
On applycation John Mahon has leave to Warrant
Sami. Howel and warrant given. Leave is granted
Abraham Jarretts Execut. to bring the following sutes
against Thomas Blaney & Charles S. Fietz and Sami.
Horing, John Blaney and Thos. Wavi, also against
James & George Vogan of a plea of Debt.
342 HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
Committee adjourns to Monday the 15th Inst.
Committee met according to adjournment. Were
Present Messrs. Amos Garret, Ignatius Wheeler, Wil-
liam Webb, Thomas Johnson, James McComas, Benja-
min Bradford Norris and Samuel Ashmead.
On Applycation of Mr. Amos Garret leave is Granted
him to Prosecute his suit against James Giles Spetial
Bail for Benjamin Thompson.
On application of Dallom and Carlile Licence is
granted them to bring Plea their action In a Plea a
Debt against Richard Johns.
On application of Joshua Jones and wife licences is
granted him to bring his action in a Plea of Debt
against Joseph Wood. Summons issued to bring
Robt. Erne Strong before the Committee on Tuesday,
25th instant. — On application of Garretts, Exet., Li-
cence is granted them to Prosecute their Suits against
James Scott Son of James and David Davis, John
Morgan & Robert Jackman.
Warrant of Distress Issued against John Whiteford
for 4is.od. Due to Captain Rigdons Company.
Committee adjourns to Tuesday 25th Instant.
Committee met according to adjournment. Present
Messrs. Amos Garret, Alex. Cowan, James McComas,
Thomas Johnson, Abm. Whitacre, Henry Wilson, Jun.,
James Clendening.
Mr. Amos Garret in the Chair.
Committee adjourns to Thursday next.
Met in Committee Ap. the 7th 1777, Messrs. Amos
Garret, Thomas Johnson, Benjamin Bradford Norris
& George Patterson.
Leave is granted John Beshorn to Warrant Negro
Ben late the Property William Husband & Warrant
given.
Leave is granted Richard Monks to Prossecute his
Action against Garret Garretson Administrator of
Samuel Johnson.
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY. 343
Leave is granted James Armstrong to bring his Ac-
tion of a Plea of Debt against John Creighton and
Licence given Clk.
On applycation of Aquila Hall, Jun., Esq., William
Young is permitted to bring his action of a Plea of
Debt and also of a plea of Trespass on the Case against
Elijah Blackstone & Licence given the Clk.
Leave is granted Messrs. Hall Gilbert & Hall to
bring their Actions of a Plea of Tresspass on the Case
against John McBride, Jesse Mainly, Geo. McLauglin,
Lawrence Clark, Archibald McMurphy, Thomas
Jackson, John Wood, overseer, Samuel Dooley, Robt.
Clark, Deer Creek, William Gale.
Nathaniel Rigbie Administrator of Jeremiah Shere-
dine Debon is Non, Joshua Lewis, Elijah Blackstone,
Clotworthy Cunningham, Thomas Jackson & Sarah
his wife, Nicholas Power.
Leave is Granted Robert Trimble to bring his action
of a plea of Tresspas on the Case against Grafton
Preston.
April 2 1 st, 1777 Committee mett. Present Messr.
Amos Garret, Aquila Hall, Thomas Johnson, Sami.
Ashmead, James Clendening, Wm. Webb, Ben. Brad-
ford Norris, Henry Wilson, Jun.
Mr. Amos Garret in the Chair.
On application of Mr. George Young who was ap-
pointed to guard a Waggon to South Carolina he is lent
two Musquets, Bayonets, Cartouch Boxes & Haver
Sacks as pr. his Rect.
The Committee appointed Messr. Amos Garret,
Aquila Hall & Thomas Johnson or any two of them to
prepare Accts. of the Committee to settle with the
Board of Claims also to settle with the Collectors of
the Fines & all other Accots. Relative to the Com-
mittee.
On application of Doctr. Philip Henderson he is per-
mitted to bring his Action of Debt agst. Doctr. Thad-
deus Jewett & John Prichard & Licence is given the
Clk.
344
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
A Summons is issued for James Price to appear be-
fore this Committee On the First Monday in May
next to show how he came by a Continental Gun Stopt
in the hands of James Carroll, Jun.
On application of Joseph Morrison he is permitted
to Warrant James Preston.
Committee adjourns to the first Monday in May
next.
Committee mett according to adjournment. Present
Messr. Amos Garrett, Aquila Hall, Thomas Johnson,
Wm. Webb, George Patterson, Ignatius Wheeler, Jun.,
& Henry Wilson, Jun.
Mr. Amos Garret in the Chair.
On application of Robert Trimble he is permitted to
Warrant James Duncan.
Summon is issued for Wm. Durham to attend the
Committee the 20th Inst &c.
Committee adjourns to Tuesday the 20th Inst.
June nth 1777 This day settled with Mr. Thos.
Johnson & he paid in the Balance of the £150 put in
his hands which was £79.125.1 id.
A List of Non-Associators and N on-Enr oilers in Har-
ford County to the 10 th September, 1775.
John Thomas
pd.
£
2
s.
0
d.
0
George York, 50s
pd-
3
0
0
Samuel Ricketts
pd.
3
0
0
James Thrift
pd.
2
0
0
Richard Thrift
pd-
2
0
0
Richard Noleman
2
0
0
Thomas Mills
pd.
2
0
0
William Divers
2
0
0
John Wilson
2
0
0
George Debrular
2
10
0
James Hill
pd-
2
10
0
Thomas Hill
pd.
2
10
0
Thomas Strong
pd.
6
10
0
Benjamin Mead
2
0
0
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
345
£ s. d.
John Gould Howard 2 o o
Edward Ricketts pd. 2 0 0
Aaron Hill pd. 300
Micajah Debrular 2 0 0
Cornelius Cashworth 2 0 o
William Savory 2 0 o
James Debrular 2 o o
James Qare 2 o o
Joseph Poison 2 o o
William Thomas 2 o o
Robert Scott, Jun 2 o o
Luke Swift 2 o o
Thomas Presbury 2 o o
Joseph Presbury pd. 800
Stephen Wauters pd. 7 10 o
Nathan Homer pd. 400
Thomas Downs 2 o o
William Wilson 2 o o
Stephen Whealand 2 o o
James Butters 3 o o
Joseph Presbury, Jun pd. 2 o o
John Wood 3 o o
James York 2 o o
John Howard 200
Oliver York 200
Thomas Howard 2 o o
James White 2 o o
Edward York (son John) 2 o o
John Presbury 2 o o
George Wilson 2 o o
James Connar 2 o o
Robert Waters pd. 200
Thomas Stockdale 2 o o
Edward Connard pd. 300
William Wakefield pd. 2 o o
John Allender 2 o o
Mathew Wakefield pd. 200
Patrick Finnigan 2 o o
34^ HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
£ S. d.
John Paul pd. 300
John Corkerton 200
John Hodges Taylor 2 o o
Thomas Durbin 200
Edward Norris (son Joseph) pd. 10 o o
Josias Wm. Dallam pd. 10 o o
Henry Johns 200
Griffith Jones 2 o o
John Duzan 2 o o
Isaac Collins 2 o o
Joseph Lusby pd. 200
James Little 10 o o
Alexander Duzan 2 o o
John Garrettson 5 o o
Amos Cord 3 o o
Daniel Durbin 600
Joshua Jones 2 o o
John Brown 10 o o
James Martain 2 o o
Freeborn Garrettson 4 o o
John Cox pd. 300
John Murphey 200
Joseph Putney pd. 200
Aquila Putney 2 o o
Richard Garretson, Jun 2 o o
John Armstrong pd. 200
John Bull (“Tho Run”) pd. 5 o o
Frederick Traly pd. 200
Michael Hamener pd. 2 10 o
Bernard Preston, Sen pd. 500
Bernard Preston, Jun pd. 2 10 o
Henry Ruff pd. 500
Henry Waters pd. 10 o o
James Lee, Jun pd. 500
Mathew Kane pd. 200
James Thompson pd. 200
Hugh Murphy pd. 200
Bernard Preston (son James) pd. 600
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
347
£ s. d.
James Wetheral 500
Samuel Forward (6 lb.) pd. 7 10 0
John Forward, Jun 2 0 0
William Forwood pd. 200
Henry Thomas, Jr pd. 200
James Wood 2 10 o
Timothy Murphy 2 0 0
Richard Johns 5 o o
Nat. Johns... pd. 200
Benjamin Fleetwood 200
Philip Gover 6 o o
Samuel Gallion 2 o o
Benjamin Hanson, Jun 5 o o
John Porter 2 o o
William Williams 2 o o
William Cox, Jun 2 o o
Walter Wauters 2 o o
Henry Kidd 2 o o
William Ensoer 2 10 o
Isaac Webster 10 o o
Samuel Litten 2 10 o
Thomas Miller 5 o o
Aquila Standiford pd. 2 10 o
Samuel England 2 o o
William Wilson, Jun pd. 500
Josias Ratcliff. 2 o o
Benjamin Howard pd. 200
John Hayes, Jun pd. 600
Benjamin Shedwick 2 o o
Thomas Sharp 2 o o
William Sharp 2 o o
Job Spencer 5 o o
Thomas Sharp, Jun 2 o o
Isaiah Jackson pd. 200
Robert England 2 o o
Joseph England 2 o o
George England 3 10 o
Gedian Pervail 3 o o
34^ HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
£ S. d.
Joseph Husband 10 o o
William Hawkins pd. 200
James Wood (Mason son) 300
William Barnes (Eliza) 2 0 o
Benjamin Herbert, Jun 2 0 o
Richard Hargrove pd. 200
Thomas West 2 0 o
John Clark 2 o o
Ephraim Arnold 2 0 0
William Wilson (son Jno.) 3 o o
John Mitchell pd. 300
Isaac Omel 2 o o
William Sherwood 2 o o
Samuel Lee 10 o o
Gilbert Thompson 2 o o
William Logue, Jun 2 o o
Philip Gilbert 2 o o
Michael Denny 2 o o
Joshua Jervis 200
Robert Hawkins 3 o o
John Willes (at I. Ellis’) 2 o o
Thomas Smith (son Pat.) 2 o o
James Smith (son Pat.) 200
Wm. Stevens (at I. Tomson) 2 o o
Henry Hagan (at Stintins) 2 o o
James Welch 2 o o
Jacob Giles, Jun 10 o o
Garret Hopkins pd. 600
William Hopkins, Jun pd. 300
Leven Hopkins 2 o o
John Morgan 2 10 o
William Ellis 2 10 o
John Peacock pd. 7 10 o
Philip Coal '. . .pd. 400
Skip with Coal, Jun 2 o o
William Coal (son Wm.) 200
Benjamin Wilson pd. 500
Samuel Rodgers pd. 300
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
349
£ s. d.
Joseph Rodgers pd. 300
James Crawford 2 o 0
Michael McBrady 2 o o
John Hopkins 500
Stephen Jay pd. 500
Skipwith Coale, Senr pd. 10 0 0
Thomas Ely, Jun pd. 200
Hugh Ely. pd. 300
Joseph Ely 2 o o
Melen Ely 2 o o
William Ely 2 o o
Joseph Warner pd. 500
Crosdal Warner pd. 500
Isaac Massey 2 o o
John Worthington pd 7 10 o
Cuthbert Warner 3 o o
Easop Warner 2 o o
Samuel Harris, Jun 2 0 0
Joseph Wiggins 2 o o
James Rigbie, Jun 2 o o
Jacob Bolderson pd. 2 10 o
Isiah Bolderson pd. 2 10 o
William Smith (son Nat.) 2 o o
Jeremiah Heaten 2 o o
Joseph Miller pd. 300
William Ashmore 10 o o
Joseph Hare pd. 500
Abel Martain 3 o o
Joseph Gallion 2 o o
Thomas Hawkins pd. 300
Thomas Chew pd. 500
William Cole pd. 7 10 o
Benjamin Wilson..... pd. 500
Skipwith Johns . 2 10 o
Samuel Wilson pd. 500
Benjamin Warner pd. 500
Thomas Renshaw pd. 400
Joseph Davis pd. 300
350
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
£ S. d.
Philip Tharle 2 o o
Joseph Stokes pd. 300
James Fisher 2 o o
Samuel Coal 5 o o
John Wilson (son Joseph) 5 o o
William Wilson (son do.) 200
William Ashmore, Jun 2 o o
John Wilson 10 o o
Peter Wilson pd. 200
Michael Webster (son Samuel) 2 o o
James Quinlin, Senr.... 200
James Charles James 2 o o
Godfrey Waters 3 o o
Thomas Bond (son John) 3 o o
Benjamin Lancaster pd. 200
Jesse Lansaster 2 o o
Thomas Lacey, Jun 2 o o
William Lacey 2 o o
David Lacey 2 o o
Samuel Lacey 2 o o
James Hicks pd. 300
John Wilson (Joyner) pd. 500
John Miller 2 o o
Stephen Norton pd. 2 10 o
David Molsberry pd. 200
William Briggs 5 o o
Samuel Lee 2 o o
William Amos, Jun 3 o o
John Smith 3 o o
Isaac Daws 10 o o
Joseph Parsons 2 o o
Enoch Mitchell 2 o o
David Lee 3 o o
William Jenkins 3 o o
Jonathan Jenkins 2 o o
Robert Smith 3 o o
John Bond (son John) 5 o o
William Bond (do.) 200
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY. 35 1
John Malsby pd. 2 o 0
Capt. Thomas Kell 2 o o
William Bull pd. 500
Enoch Spencer pd. 300
John Meason 3 o o
James Meaharst, Sen 3 0 o
James Meaharst, Jun 2 o o
Joshua Smith (son John) pd. 200
John Smith, Jun pd. 200
Joseph Lancaster 200
Tobias Stansbury 2 o o
Benjamin Daws (son Isaac) 2 o o
John Anderson 2 o o
James Price 3 o o
£814 10s. od.
A List of the Inhabitants of Harford County,
taken in 1776.
WHITES. BLACKS.
Spesutia Lower Hundred 790 650
Spesutia Upper Hundred 767 340
Harford Lower Hundred 415 352
Harford Upper Hundred 548 194
Susquehanna Hundred 1,300 281
Bush River Lower Hundred 658 275
Bush River Upper Hundred . 623 77
Deer Creek Lower Hundred 460 374
Deer Creek Upper Hundred 960 122
Eden Hundred 1,008 108
Broad Creek Hundred 318 24
Gunpowder Lower Hundred 683 331
Gunpowder Upper Hundred 893 214
9,423 3,342
3.342
12,765
352
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
N. B. — As David McSwain (alias Swiney) has Re-
turned his List for Broad Creek Hundred, it is esti-
mated to half the Whites and one-fourth of the Blacks
that is in Deer Creek Lower Hundred, by A. G .
N. B. — The List of David Sweeney of Broad Creek
Hundred could not be obtained during the time of the
setting of the Committee, when got was no Proved;
could not ascertain the time he was taking the List, by
agreed to take Twenty Shillings for his trouble which
was paid by Amos Garret.
The County's Representatives in the House of Dele-
gates Since 1786.
1786.
Benjamin B. Norris,
James Bond,
John Love,
Ignatius Wheeler.
1787.
Aquila Scott,
Benjamin B. Norris,
Ignatius Wheeler,
John Love.
1791.
Edward Prall,
, William Wilson,
John Love,
William Pinkney,
1792.
Edward Prall,
Abraham Jarrett,
John Love,
Robert Amos.
1788.
Aquila Scott,
Benjamin B. Norris,
William Pinkney,
John Lee Webster.
1789.
Benjamin B. Norris,
William Pinkney,
John Lee Webster,
John Love.
1790-
William Pinkney,
James McComas,
Robert Amos,
John Love.
1793-
James Bond,
Edward Prall,
John Montgomery,
Abraham Jarrett.
1794.
Abraham Jarrett,
James Bond,
N. D. McComas,
John Montgomery.
1795-
J. Bond of Joshua,
Abraham Jarrett,
John Montgomery,
N. Day McComas/
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
353
1796.
Abraham Jarrett,
Edward Prall,
John Montgomery,
Jacob Norris.
1797.
John Montgomery,
Abraham Jarrett,
N. Day McComas,
James Bond.
1798.
Abraham Jarrett,
N. Day McComas,
John Montgomery,
William S. Dallam.
1799.
John Streett,
N. Day McComas,
Thomas Ayres,
James Bond.
1805.
John Montgomery,
John Forwood,
Thomas Ayres,
John Streett,
1806.
John Streett,
John Forwood,
John C. Bond,
Elijah Davis.
1807.
John Forwood,
John Streett,
Thomas Ayres,
Elijah Davis.
1808.
John Forwood,
John Street,
John Sanders,
Elijah Davis.
1811.
John Sanders,
John Forwood,
John Streett,
Henry Hall.
1812.
John Sanders,
J. Forwood of William,
J. Forwood of Jacob,
Joshua Bond.
1813.
J. Forwood of William,
J. Forwood of Jacob,
Francis J. Dallam,
Israel D. Maulsby.
1814.
J. Forwood of William,
J. Forwood of Jacob,
Francis J. Dallam,
Samuel Bradford.
1816.
Chas. S. Sewall,
Samuel Bradford,
Henry Hall,
John Glenn.
1817.
Samuel Bradford,
Chas. S. Sewall,
James Steel,
Jas. G. Davis.
1818.
Israel D. Maulsby,
Alexander Norris,
James Steel,
George Henderson.
1819.
Israel D. Maulsby.
Alexander Norris,
354
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
Henry Hall,
John Forwood.
1820.
Israel D. Maulsby,
William H. Allen,
Abel Alderson,
Alexander Norris.
1821.
William H. Allen,
John Forwood,
Alexander Norris,
William Whiteford.
1822.
Alexander Norris,
John Chauncey,
William H. Allen,
William Whiteford.
1823.
William Whiteford,
Chas. S. Sewall,
Alexander Norris,
James Steel.
1824.
Thomas Hope,
Alexander Norris,
Abraham Jarrett,
James Montgomery.
1825.
James Montgomery,
James W. Williams,
Chas. S. Sewall,
Henry Hall.
1826.
Thomas Hope,
Alexander Norris,
Samuel Sutton,
James Montgomery.
1827.
Thomas Hope,
James Montgomery,
William Smithson,
Samuel Sutton.
1828.
Thomas Hope,
Henry H. Johns,
Samuel Sutton,
William Smithson.
1829.
Henry H. Johns,
James Moores,
Thomas Hope,
Samuel Sutton.
1830.
James Montgomery,
James Moores,
Frederick T. Amos,
Stephen Watters.
1831.
Henry H. Johns,
James Moores,
Frederick T. Amos,
Samuel Sutton.
1832.
Henry H. Johns,
Samuel Sutton,
Thomas Hope,
John Forwood.
1833-
Henry A. Johns,
Samuel Sutton,
James Moores,
James Nelson.
1834.
Henry H. Johns,
Samuel Sutton,
James Moores,
Tames Nelson.
1835-
Stephen Boyd,
Samuel Sutton,
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
355
Harry D. Gough,
Tames Nelson.
1836.
Israel D. Maulsby,
James Nelson,
Harry D. Gough,
Stephen Boyd.
1837-
James W. Williams,
W. S. Forwood,
James Nelson,
Israel D. Maulsby.
1838.
Thomas Hope,
James W. Williams,
Israel D. Maulsby,
W. S. Forwood.
1839.
Samuel Sutton,
Thomas Hope,
James W. Williams,
John C. Polk.
1840.
Samuel Sutton,
Thomas Hope,
C. W. Billingslea,
William Whiteford.
1841.
Samuel Sutton,
Thomas Hope,
Henry H. Johns,
Chas D. Bouldin.
1842.
Francis Butler,
Coleman Yellott,
Thos. C. Hopkins,
Luther M. Jarrett.
1843-
William Polk,
Coleman Yellott,
Thos. C. Hopkins,
W. B. Stephenson,
1844.
William Polk,
Henry W. Archer,
Frederick T. Amos,
George Yellott.
1845.
W. B. Stephenson,
A. J. Streett,
Henry H. Johns,
Benedict H. Hanson.
1846.
W. B. Stephenson,
Luther M. Jarrett,
Robert W. Holland,
Abraham Cole.
1847.
Henry D. Farnandis,
Luther M. Jarrett,
Hugh C. Whiteford,
Abraham Cole.
1849.
Henry D. Farnandis,
John Hawkins,
Hugh C. Whiteford,
Abraham Cole.
1851.
Wm. B. Stephenson,
Alfred W. Bateman,
Thomas Hope.
1852.
Alfred W. Bateman,
Thomas Hope,
W. B. Stephenson.
1853.
Alfred W. Bateman,
Thomas Hope,
W. B. Stephenson.
356
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
1854.
Stevenson Archer,
Geo. Stephenson,
Wm. M. Elliott.
1856.
Henry A. Silver,
Robert E. Duvall,
James H. Jarrett.
1858.
Franklin Han way,
Thomas M. Bacon,
John H. Baker.
i860.
Joshua Wilson,
Wm. F. Bayless,
Richard B. McCoy.
1862.
Elisha Lewis,
Richard B. McCoy,
Marmaduke Dove.
1864.
Chas. B. Hitchcock,
Thomas Archer,
Richard B. McCoy.
1865. '
Isaac Cairnes,
Henry A. Silver,
Thos. C. Hopkins,
Joshua Wilson.
1867.
Nicholas H. Nelson,
S. M. Whiteford,
Joshua Wilson,
Simeon Spicer.
1868.
Benjamin Silver,
Nicholas H. Nelson,
R. R. Vandiver,
John S. Brown,
1870.
William M. Ady,
William Baldwin,
Jos. M. Streett,
J. T. C. Hopkins.
1872.
David Riley,
William Baldwin,
Jos. M. Streett.
1874.
Nathan Grafton,
Otho S. Lee,
David Riley.
1876.
P. H. Rutledge,
Andrew Boyle,
Murray Vandiver.
1878.
Silas Scarboro,
Willliam G. Scott,
Murray Vandiver.
1880.
Willliam G. Scott,
James B. Preston,
Murray Vandiver.
1882.
Silas Scarboro,
James B. Preston,
William B. Baker,
David Wiley.
1884.
Jacob H. Plowman,
Benj. Silver, Jr.,
J. Martin McNabb,
R. Harris Archer.
1886.
Jacob H. Plowman,
Benj. Silver, Jr.,
J. Martin McNabb,
R. Harris Archer.
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
357
1888.
Noble L. Mitchell,
Walter W. Preston,
Henry W. Archer, Jr.,
Wm. S. Bowman.
1890.
Noble L. Mitchell,
Walter W. Preston,
Wm. B. Hopkins,
Geo. W. Richardson.
1892.
Samuel S. Bevard,
Murray Vandiver,
Dr. Thos. B. Hayward,
John O. Stearns.
1894.
Samuel S. Bevard,
Dr. Thomas B. Hayward,
John O. Stearns,
Harold Scarboro.
1896.
T. L. Hanway,
John L. G. Lee,
Wm. M. Whiteford,
Robert Seneca.
1898.
T. L. Hanway,
Herman W. Hanson,
Wm. M. Whiteford,
Robert Seneca.
1900.
Noble L. Mitchell,
Willliam B. Hopkins,
Howard Proctor,
James W. Foster.
Sheriffs of Harford County.
1774, Thomas Miller.
1778, John Taylor.
1780, James Horner.
1785, Robert Amos.
1791, William Osborn.
1793, Benj. Preston,
1794, Thomas Gibson,
1795, Robt. Amos.
1800, Robert Amos, Jr.
1802, John C. Bond.
1804. John Guyton.
1807. Benjamin G. Jones.
1809, John Kean.
1812, Benjamin Guyton.
1816, Jason Moore.
1819, Joshua Guyton.
1822, Samuel Bradford.
1825, Henry H. Johns.
1827, John Carsins.
1828, John Kean.
1831, Joshua Guyton.
1834, Preston McComas.
1838, John Carsons.
1839, John W. Walker.
1840, James Kean.
1842, Henry Richardson,
1846, Wm. G. Burke.
1848, Robert McGaw.
1851, Robert H. Bussey.
1853, John S. Dallam.
1855. James A. Gover.
1857, Michael Whiteford.
1859, Joseph E. Bateman.
1861, Chas. D. Bouldin.
1863, Isaac Amos.
1865, Wm. Carsins.
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
358
1867, Wm. Young. 1885, Robt. R. Carman.
1869, Robt. E. Morgan. 1886, Thos. B. Jarret (by
1871, W. Smithson For- appointment 0 f
wood. Governor.
1873, Wm. B. Jarrett. 1887, W. Oliver Hughes.
1875, G. Wm. Hanway. 1889, Chas. A. McGaw.
1877, Henry C. Johnson. 1891, Jas. S. Calder.
1879, Wakeman H. Mor-1893, W. Oliver Hughes.
gan. 1895, Ambrose Cooley.
1881, Wm. E. Whiteford. 1897, Wm. J. Forsythe.
1883, Geo. F. Walker. 1899, Andrew Kinhart.
State's Attorneys.
1774, George Chalmers.
1793, J°hn Montgomery.
1797, D. David.
1799, Thos. Kell.
1805, J. Ward.
1809, Stevenson Archer.
1810, John Saunders.
1 81 1, John Montgomery.
1816, John Montgomery.
1823, Thos Kell.
1829, Wm. B. Bond.
1848, Wm. Galloway.
1851, Wm. H. Dallam.
1855, Wm. H. Dallam.
1859, Wm. H. Dallam.
1862, G. Y. Maynadier,
(acting.)
1867, P. H. Rutledge.
1871, J. T. C. Hopkins.
1879, G. Y. Maynadier.
1887, J. E. Webster.
1891, Walter W. Preston.
1900, James W. McNabb.
Harford Representatives in Congress.
William Pinkney, 179 1-3.
Gabriel Christie, 1793-7.
Gabriel Christie, 1799-1801.
Dr. John Archer, 1801-1807.
Judge Stevenson Archer, 1811-1817.
Judge Stevenson Archer, 1819-21.
Charles S. Sewall, 1831-3.
James W. Willliams, 1841-3.
Dr. Jacob A. Preston, 1843-5.
Edwin H. Webster, 1859-1865.
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
359
Stevenson Archer, 1867-1875.
Herman Stump, 1889-1893.
William B. Baker, 1895-1901.
Registers of Wills.
J. Beale Howard, deputy register, designated 1774.
John Geo. Bradford, 1780.
Abraham Jarret, 1799.
Samuel Richardson, 1813.
Thos. S. Bond, 1818.
Charlton W. Billingslea, 1845.
Benedict H. Hanson, 1857.
Joseph R. Ely, 1867.
Wm. S. Richardson, 1873.
Dr. J. M. Magraw, 1885.
Edwin H. Webster of J., 1889.
G. Smith Norris, 1889.
Clerks of Circuit Court.
1774, Alexander Lawson.
1777, John Lee Gibson.
1801, Henry Dorsey.
1845, Henry D. Gough,
1851, A. Lingan Jarret.
1858, William Galloway,
1863, William H. Dallam.
1867, A. Lingan Jarret.
1891, William S. Forwood, Jr.
Constitutional Conventions.
The first Constitutional Convention of the State of
Maryland met at Annapolis in 1776, and was presided
over by Matthew Tilghman.
The delegates from Harford county were :
Jacob Bond,
Henry Wilson, Jr.,
John Love,
John Archer.
HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
360
The Maryland Convention of 1788, which ratified the
Constitution of the United States, met at Annapolis,
with George Plater as president. The members from
Harford county in this convention were :
Luther Martin,
Willliam Paca,
William Pinkney,
John Love.
The second Constitutional Convention of the State
was held in 1851, over which John G. Chapman, of
Charles county, presided. The Harford delegates in
this convention were :
John Sappington,
William B. Stephenson,
Ramsay McHenry,
Samuel M. McGaw,
James Nelson.
The third Constitutional Convention of the State
met at Annapolis in 1864, with H. H. Goldsborough,
president.
The Harford members were :
John A. Hopper,
William Galloway,
George M. McComas,
Thomas Russell.
The last Constitutional Convention which met in
the State and formed the present State Constitution,
assembled at Annapolis in 1867, with Richard B. Car-
michael as president. The representative from Har-
ford county in this convention were:
Henry D. Farnandis,
Henry W. Archer,
John Evans,
Evans S. Rogers,
Henry A. Silver.
INDEX
Abingdon 198, 204
Alexander, Mathew no
Alexander, Robt 63
Allen, Edw. M 142
Allen, Jas 126
Allen, Rev. John 154, 156
Allender, John 125
Allender, Wm 83
Allison, James 107
Amos, Aquila 137
Amos, Ensign Aquila 128
Amos, Benj 190
Amos, Benj. L 79, 247
Amos, Fred. T 247
Amos, Garret 196
Amos, Jas 267
Amos, James 78
Amos, Joshua M 247
Amoss, Joseph 122
Amos, Robt 76, 86, 269
Amos, Wm 247
Amos, Wm., Sr 75
Amos, Wm. of Thos 247
Anderson, Chas 291, 102, 108
Anderson, James 182
Andrews, Jerediah 166
An Old Marriage Certificate, 1769 273
Archer, Henry W 219
Archer, John 76, 96, 102, 106, 200, 209, 222, 292
Archer, Judge Stevenson 82, 202
Archer, R. Harris 161, 182
Archer, Dr. Robt 182, 245, 246
Archer, Thomas 181, 182
Armstrong, Jas 77
Asbury, Bishop 208
Ashman, John 86
Ashmead, Samuel 288
i
Ashmore, John 90
Ash, Josh 246
Ashton, Jas 75
Ashton, John 272
Baker, Charles 74, 119
Baker, Nathan 83
Barnes, Bennet 255
Baldwin, William 120
Baldwin, Jacob 195
Barclay, John 78
Baltimore Town 179
Bartol, Barney 252
Barren, Nath. M 160
Bay, John 272
Bailey, Samuel 267
Baldwin, Silas 228
Barnes, William 114
Bay, Andrew 180
Barley, Samuel 266
Bald Friar 166
Bayless, John B 247
Baylis, Samuel 122
Baley, Nathaniel 80
Barnet, James 80
Baptist Church, Harford 188
Barton, William 120
Baldwin, Isaiah 195
Bayles, Nathan 108
Bayless, Samuel 182
Bales, Benj 108, 181
Bales, Jeremiah 180
Bay, Hugh 75, 175
Baltimore, Old 40, 47
Bevard, Jas 122
Bennington, Job 126
Bethel 1 66
Bedell, Edward 43
Bel Air Academy.. 276
Bel Air 67
Biays, James, Col 219
Billingslea, B. M 246
Billingsley, Fras 152
Billingslea, Wm 271
Bisset, David 36
Billopp, Rev. Thos. F 115
Billingslea, Walter 115
Billingsley, Fras 76, 77, 152
Bishop, Robert 75
Blaney, James 123
ii
Blearneys, Thomas
Bond, Jacob 75, 93, 116, 199, 201, 206,
Bond, Zaccheus 0 89, 223,
Bond, Wm
Bond, Peter
Bond, Ralph
Bond, John
Bond, Thomas. 61, 79, 85, 87, 89, 93, 95, 96, 99, 127, 199, 206,
Boise, Roger
Bond, Daniel
Bond, John Churchman
Bond, John 33, 88,
Bond, Dennis 77, 86, 209,
Bosley, Ivin
Bond, Samuel
Bond, Buckler 38, 88,
Bonar, Robert
Bond, Wm
Bond, James
Boston
Bonds, Manor
Bond, Joshua
Bohemia
Bond, Fell
Boyce, Barney
Boarman, Rev. Sylvester
Bond, Dr. Thos. E
Bond, Judge Hugh L
Bond, James of William
Brownley, Jos
Brackenridge, J ohn
Bradford, Gov. A. W 199,
Brown, Samuel
Brown, Garrett
Bronwley, Jos
Bradford, Geo 216,
Brownley, Jos
Bradford Wm... 37, 80, * 102, 106, 119, 129, 136, 214, 215,
Bradford, John
Brerewood, Thomas
Bradford, Samuel 90, 215,
Bradford 65,
Brown, Joshua •
Bryarly, Robt
Brice, Thos
Brown, Freeborn 66, 105,
Bull, Wm
Bush Declaration 201,
79
284
271
96
206
87
208
222
159
88
89
206
271
77
84
206
74
77
125
94
206
206
161
87
252
163
3i
206
83
76
127
216
223
247
89
296
76
265
215
275
265
96
125
155
152
102
278
75
290
iii
Bush River Co 33
Bull, Billingslea 87, 271
Bull, Edmund 74, 116
Buchanan, Archibald 158
Butler, Clem. Capt 227
Bussey, Bennet 87, 89, 126, 127, 137, 267, 268
Bush or Willoughby River 21
Bull, Jacob 1 16, 11 7, 293
Bussy, Edward 116
Bush 67
Buchanan, Robert 63
Butler, Jos 96
Butler, Thomas 72
Bynum’s Run 29
Calwell, Samuel 81, 102, 113, 229, 266
Carver, Henry 261
Carter, Dr. John P 175
Carlisle, John.. 71, 90, 106, 159
Carter, Daniel 118
Catholic Church 160
Cain, Matthew 272
Carlon, James 175, 271
Callahan, Edmund 121
Carlisle; Rev. Hugh 156
Carroll, James 78, 80, 90, 119
Calwell, James 229
Cecil County Organization 14
Churchville Presbyterian Church 176
Chase, Jeremiah Townly 63
Chesney, Benj. Bergess 66
Chalmers, George 63
Chalmers, Thos 63
Churchville 67, 200
Childs, James 154
Chancy, John 89, 108, 222
Christie, Gabriel 69, 71, 106, 251, 255
Clendenin, James 174
Clendenin, John 27, 72, 89
Clayborne, William 23, 249
Clark, John 158, 171
Clark, John 263
Cord, Asbery 65
Courtney, Hanson 247
Cowan, Alex 96, no, 263, 267
Coale, William 269
Colfield, Thomas 252
Cooley, John 76, 87, 269
Courthouses, Old 39, 40, &c.
Cokesbury 183
IV
Cook, John
Coale, William
Coke, Dr. Thomas
Coleman, H. E
Courtney, Thomas 258,
Cowan, John
Coale, William 123,
Coleman, Rev. John
Cross, Rev. Andrew B
Cranberry
Crawford, A
Cross Roads
Cramp ton, Rev. S. W 155,
Creaton, Patrick
Creswell, Robert
Craig, Rev. John
Curtis, Francis
Cunningham, George
Curtis, Francis
Curzon, Richard 66, 74,
Dallam, John Winston
Dallam, Elizabeth 217,
Davis, Elijah
Davis, Rev. Reuben H 180,
Day, Samuel 64, 80,
Dallam, Winstone 122,
Dallam, Josias William
Dallam, Richard... .93, 95, 97, 55, 102, 152, 159, 124, 184, 271,
199, 222,
Davidson, David
Davis, Elder John
Dairy Farm 30,
Dallam, John Paca
Dallam, William H 82,
Deaver, Aquila
Denbow, John
Denbow, Thos
Deaver, John
Deer Creek
DeWet, Dr.....
DeBrular, William
Dennison, Gibson
Deaver, Richard
Dillon, George
Diderick, Rev. Bernard
Dorsey, Jonathan
Downes, William 74, 123,
Dorsey, Stephen
Dozens, Jacob
145
77
184
246
261
157
258
212
175
156
131
67
157
75
122
176
63
89
83
75
262
231
276
276
83
267
271
281
86
189
205
157
158
141
190
84
156
18
296
66
7i
118
75
163
253
267
125
126
Doughbridge, William
Dorsey, Levin
Dougherty, Michael
Donovon, Jacob .
Dorsey, Col. Harry 86, 90, 220, 271,
Doran, Philip
Dorsey, Greenbery 78, 102, 114, 154,
Dove, W. G
Donohuy, John 102,
Donahoo, Daniel
Durben, Francis
Duly, William
Durham, Thomas
Durham, Samuel 65, 75, 77, 79,
Duebery, Joseph
Dublin
Durham, John 66, 102,
Dutton, John
Durham, Joshua
Eden, Rev. Joseph
Edmundson, Rev. Wm 154,
Edy, Solomon
Ely, Hugh
Evans, Elijah
Evans, D. D., Rev Evan 146,
Ewing, Col. Thomas
Fallston
Fannigan, Mrs
F armer, Gregory
Farmer, John
Farnandis, Hon. Henry D
Fell, Edward
Fell, William
Finney, Judge Walter
Finney, Rev. Wm 168, 179,
Fisher, Wm 64, 102, 121, 159, 224, 262, 263,
Formation, Harford County
Ford, Capt. Joseph
Ford, John
Forwood, Jacob 78, 108,
Forwood, John 89, 222,
Forwood, Wm
Fowler, Rev. Francis
Frederick, Lord Baltimore
Frederick, Rev. T. A
Friends in Harford
Frisby, Peregrine 105,
Fulford, Wm
Fulton, James
79
127
130
81
276
247
159
247
291
87
74
86
190
117
124
195
263
252
74
164
156
247
195
129
156
125
195
78
158
154
220
208
124
180
180
267
54
272
271
263
276
247
165
53
165
193
158
159
182
vi
Fulton, John 77,
Fussel, Bartholomew
Gallion, Jas
Gallion, John
Gallen, Rev. Jos. A
Garrett, Amos 55, 61, 96, 159,
Garrison, Philip 84,
Garrettson, Garrett
Garrett, Abraham .
Garrettson, George 65,
Garret, Bennet.
Garrettson, John
Gast, Thomas 80,
Gilbert, Michael 79, 84, 105, 108, 126, 168,
Gilbert, Jonas
Gibson, John Lee 71, 75, 89, 90,
Gibson, Miles
Gilbert, Jarvis
Gillette, Dr
Giles, Nathaniel
Giles, James 66, 76,
Giles, Jacob 32, 33 , 34,
Giles, Thomas
Glascow, James, M. D 180,
Glenn, Robert
Glenn, Wm
Godsgrace, Wm
Gordon, Nathaniel
Goldsborough, Rev. Robt. Lloyd
Gouldsmith, Martha
Gough, Harry
Gover, Gideon
Gover, Robert
Grafton, Nathaniel
Grafton, Rev. Wm
Greme, Angus
Green, John
Green, Joshua 258,
Griffith, Samuel 108, 159,
Guiton, Elizabeth
Guyton, John 80, 221,
Gunpowder 41,
Hall, Andrew
Hall, Aquila.55, 30, 61, 63, 64, 75, 83, 85, 94, 95, 99, 108,
158, 159, 205, 221, 223, 256,
Hall, Benedict Edward 55, 61, 81, 89, 93, 96, 105, 124,
• 159, 250,
Hall, Edward 65, 154, 199,
Hall, Maj. Henry
vii
80
197
l8l
158
165
278
190
105
159
80
158
158
83
l8l
121
269
43
158
245
153
no
159
106
182
80
171
no
81
155
203
89
122
271
269
189
142
79
271
222
191
271
44
157
279
269
250
159
Hall, Dr. Jacob 37,
Hall, James White 159,
Hall, John.. 30, 36, 43, 55, 71, 88, 89, 156, 158, 202, 205,
Hall, John B 126,
Hall, John C. C
Hall, Jos. Carvel 79, 102, 105, 129, 137, 159, 222,
Hall, John Sidney
Hall, Thos
Hall, Parker
Hall, Walter T. L
Hall, Wm 65, 106, 124, 157,
Hammond, Larkin
Handy, Rev. Wm 154,
Hanna, James
Hanna, Alex 108,
Harford, Henry
Harford Furnace 98,
Harford Town 67,
Hargrove, Rev. John
Harlan, Henry
Harris, Robert 84, 123, 130, 134,
Harris, James
Harris, Thos 201,
Harrod, Thos
Harry, David 79,
Hawthorn, John
Haslet, Dr. Moses
Hathway, John
Hartley, Jas
Hawkins, Richard
Hawkins, John
Hawkins, Matthew
Havre de Grace 67, 241, 244, 249,
Hays, Joseph
Hays, Archer 32, 87, 107, 271,
Hays, John
Heath, Thos
Henderson, Phil 32,
Henderson, Geo
Henry, John
Herbert, John
Hickory
Hill, Stephen 74,
Higbee, Rev. Edw. Y
Hitchcock, Azail 75, 87, 128, 137,
Homestead, The
Halbrook, Rev. John
Holland, Francis 86, 102, 106, 124, 154, 159,
Holland, Wm
187
223
221
127
159
250
157
105
158
159
159
106
156
77
182
53
149
268
187
82
267
102
264
127
80
74
297
43
75
89
181
276
269
84
272
181
44
106
159
171
247
99
77
155
267
3i
156
284
38
viii
Hollingsworth, T 83,
Hollis, Amos
Hollis, Wm 106,
Hoopes, Darlington
Hope, Richard
Hope, Thomas Bo, 89, 170, 269,
Hopkins, John
Horner, Hollis
Horner, James 64,
Horner, Nathan.
Howard, John Beale 61, 75, no, 267,
Howard, Lemuel
Howell, Samuel
Huden, John
Hughes, John Hall
Hughes, Samuel 71, 81, 90, 159, 250, 251,
Humphreys, Rev. John
Husbands, Wm 159,
Hutchins, Richard 87,
Hutchinson, Thos 113,
Ireland, Rev. John
Jacobs, F. H.
Jackson, Rev. Wm 155,
James, St. Clair
Jameson, John
James Sedwick 84,
Jarrett, Jesse
Jarrett, A. Lingan 82,
Jarrett, Bennet
Jarret, Abraham
Jay, Samuel 253,
Jay, John
Jenkins & McAtee.
Jewett, John
Jewett, Susanna
Jenkins, Samuel
Jeffreys, Hugh 64,
Jennings, Sarah
Jesuits
Jewett, Hugh J
Jewett, Thad
Jeffery, Thomas 84,
Jeffrey, Robt
Johns, Richard
Jones, Benjamin
Jones, Reuben
Jones, Wm 66,
Johnson, Barnet * 87,
Johnson, M
86
66
182
197
86
276
223
77
263
65
283
78
158
118
75
256
156
217
120
266
154
32
157
267
73
122
7 1
217
90
217
254
157
225
196
196
64
77
199
161
196
106
86
75
37
87
142
118
89
247
ix
Johnson, Joseph
Johnson, Thos 66, 71, 75, 77, 102, 116,
Johnson, Edw
Johnson, James 71,
Jolly, John 159, 267,
Joppa 41,
Johnson, Caleb
Kean, John . . 74,
Keen, Aquila D
Keen, Pollard
Keen, Richard
Kenly, Daniel
Kennard, Isaac
Kennedy, Robert
Kell, Thos
Kerr, James
Key, Job
Kieffer, W. T. L
Kimble, Zack
Kindlemeyer, John
Kirk, John
Kirkpatrick, Hugh
Kitely, Wm
Knight, Thos
Lafayette 138,
Lancaster Forge
Landon, Robt. B
Lambourne, Daniel
Lawson, Alex 46, 61
Leakin, James
Lee, David
Lee, James 107, 152, 223,
Lee, Parker H 89,
Lendrum, Rev. Andrew
Lemmon, Robt 102,
Lewis, Jas 66, 77, 266,
Lighter, G. W
Lynton, John
Lindsey, Andrew
Little Falls 31,
Litton, Samuel
Loney, John 126,
Loney, Wm 106, 154,
Long, John
Love, John.. 75, 93, 95, 115, 152, 198, 199, 201, 209, 222,
Luckey, Geo
Luckey, Wm
Lusson, Rev. Chas. Leander
Lynch, Daniel
158
247
127
85
276
44
180
262
157
158
152
181
272
118
232
247
US
180
247
252
182
119
66
160
249
264
77
38
99
118
79
271
271
156
292
267
246
246
80
195
77
158
269
62
260
175
80
.164
119
Lytle, James 66, 87, 89,
Mathews, James 65,
Matthews, Levin 65,
Maple, Abel
Mather, Michael
Maxwell, David
Magness, Wm
Maynadier, Henry G
Mathews, Roger 106,
Mathews, Barnett
Massawomeks 18, 19, 20,
Mathews, John 55, 96,
Magness, B
Maulsby, Israel D 245,
Magraw, Dr. James M
Magness, Moses 90,
Mahoney, Rev. Cornelius
Maxwell, Col. James
Maxwell, Wm.
Masonic Order and Union Ch
Martin Luther 75,
Matthews, Rev. Ignatius
Marsh, Dr. Freeman
Makennie, Rev. Francis
Meyers, Benj
Meath, Rev. M
Miscellaneous
Michael, Wm O
Miles, Joshua 126, 128, 137,
Michael, Chas. W
Miller, Thomas
Michael, Jacob. ...
Mitchel, Richard
Miles, Joshua
Mitchell, Thos
Morris, Jos
More, William
Morgan, Wm 102, 223, 224,
Moores, John 84, 89,
Morris, John
Morris, Mary
More, Benj. P
Morgan, Robert 102, 106, 124,
Moulton, T. W
Morgan, Edward
Montgomery, John 78, 83, 266,
Morrison, Geo., Sr
Moore, James 77,
McCoy, David G
291
74
83
89
77
152
271
214
158
278
22
106
247
248
143
271
164
45
246
83
198
163
186
166
175
186
262
37
267
40
62
247
159
268
79
64
121
291
276
119
205
196
224
157
123
267
175
80
196
xi
Me Ado w, John
MeGaw, John
McComas, Edward
McComas, Alex
McCandley, Wm
McComas, Aaron
McComas, Daniel
McComas, Wm
McComas, M. G
McCausland, Geo
McCann, John
McComas, John
McComas, Aquila
McAtee, Hy
McDermot, Archibald
McComas, J. L
McClung, Adam
McCormick, James
McPhail, Daniel
McComas, James
McCloskey, Patrick
McConnel, Samuel
McCaskey, Wm
Murphy, Abel
My Lady’s Manor
Nanticoke Indians
Neale, Archibald Leonard.
Neale, Capt. James
N ewman, Esther
Nelson, Jos
Nevill, John
Neill, Henry
Neale, Rev. Bennet Nelson
Nelson, Bennet
Nelson, Wm
Nicholson, Jos. Hopper
Nielson & Nielson
Nowland, Benj
Norris, John
Norris, Benj. Bradford...
Norris, Jacob
Norris, G. S
O’Brien, James
Onion, Stephen
Orr, John
O’Neill, John
O’Connor, Rev. P. T
Old Churches
Onion, Corbin
181
118
ii9
38, 89
75
38
38
37, 78, 80, 262, 267
246
246
107
38, 74, 75, 78
38
89
173
32
172
82
: no
85, 102, 1 16, 209, 266, 267, 296
186
i97
253
252
160, 274
42
. — 161
161
205
i75
247
106
272
. . 160
172
271
i57
246
89, 210
102, 210
83, 89, 21 1
31
258
264
124
242, 244
165
144
83
Xll
Orr, James
Osborn, Cyrus
114
Osborne, James
4i, 75, 158
Osborne, Samuel Groome
Osborn, William
4i, 43, 83
Osborne, Margaret
43
Otter Point
67
Patterson, James
Patterson, William
59, 160
Patterson, John
105, 79
Patterson, Samuel . . . . .
172
Paca, William
94, 198, 184
Partridge, Anne
Patrick, John...
265, 267, 1 22
Patterson, George
. . 89, 74,
102, 108, 159, 291
Paca, John.
• • 55, 96,
102, 158, 199, 286
Pasquet, Rev. William
Palmer’s Island
249, 23
Patterson, Fred E
157
Patterson, Wm. Alfred
157
Paca, Martha
34
Palmer, Edward
23
Paca, Aquila 44, 75, 102,
126, 154,
215, 222, 291, 99
Pannel, James
Paca, James
Perkins, Rachel
Perryman, Samuel
153
Pensions
Perryman, Isaac
159, 271
Perryman, George H
159
Philipps, James...
36
, 75, 146, 156, 158
Philips, Martha
42
Philips, Philip
41
Polk, William C
Porter, Rev. John
153, 156
Pool’s Island
14
Preston, Richard of Patuxent
209
Prigg, Carvil H
245
Preston, James
34, 1 1 5, 158, 209
Preston, Thomas
Pinkney, William
, . 83, 85, 86, 198
Presbury, George
89, 106, 271
Preston, Grafton
115
Pritchard, Obadiah
Preston, Barnett
’ 65
Presbury, Pycraft
220
Preston, Dr. Jacob A
. . . . 157, 159, 160
Preston, Martin
163, 209, 266, 267
Preston, William
127
xiii
Preston, Bernard
Presbury, Joseph
Pringle, Mark
Principio Iron 'Works
Presbury, James
Price, John H
Pritchard, Jesse
Prigg, Edward
Preston, Daniel
Pritchard, Daniel
Prall, Edward
Priestford
Priest Neale’s Mass House
Purviance, Samuel
Push, Mingo
Pugh, Hugh
Ralston, W. W
Rawlings, Col. Moses
Raine, Samuel
Rampley, James
Revolutionary Committees.
Reese, George
Reardon, John
Reed, Hugh
Reynolds, Rev. J
Renshaw, James
Richardson, Samuel
Richardson, Charles
Rigdon, Stephen
Rigdon, James
Ritchie, Judge Albert
Ridgely, Henry
Richardson, Vincent
Rigdon, Alex
Ridgely, Charles
Richardson, Benjamin
Richardson, Henry
Richardson, William
Richardson, Thomas L. . . .
Rigby, Col. James
Rigbie, Nathan
Richardson, J. L
Robinson, Thos
Robinson, Richard
Robinson, Joseph
Robinson, Stephen
Rogers, John
Rogers, Alex
Rose, Joseph
3i, 78, 84, 87, 89, 209.
79
255, 71
264
215
217
115
224, 271
75
65
85, 102, 107, 269
31, 160
161
293
1 66
. . . . 116
180
135, 136-
7i
247
278
197
221
173-
155
83, 123, 268, 267
89, 90
173
86
116
40
269
no
71, 77, 102, 1 18, 154, 159, 262
22 1
269
7i, 87
79, 246
30, 42, 90 247
140
195
40
77, 191
75, 77, 80
221
74
74, 81, no
251
ii9<
XIV
Roberts, Billingsley 64
Robinson, Edward 74
Ruff, Daniel 78
Rutledge, Jacob 271
Rutledge, Joshua 225, 276
Rumsey, John 81, 96, 106, 154
Rutledge, Ignatius . 225
Rules of Harford Committee 281
Rutledge, Thomas. . 120
Rumsey, Alex 174
Rutledge, John W 75, 225, 87, 79
Ruff, Henry 117, 181, 249
Ruff, Richard 32, 66, 74, 105
Rutledge, Abraham 32
Rumsey, Benjamin 63, 80, no
Saunders, Edward 247
Saunders, William 126
Scott, James 115
Scott, Benjamin 74, 130
Scott, Otho 228
Scott, Elizabeth 207
Scott’s Gazetteer 268
Scarborough, Enclidus 121
Scott, Benjamin 74, 130
Scott, Aquila 67, 75, 77, 116
Scott, Daniel 34, 57, 67, 88, 90, 228, 271, 290, 291, 102
Scott’s Old Fields, Bel Air 77
Scott, Elder Eli 189
Sedgwick, James 78
Sewall, Father 163
Shea, Thomas 161
Short, John 246
Shepherd, Moses 196
Shaw, Araminta 74
Shandy Hall 32
Sheredine, Daniel 80
Sheredine, Jeremiah 61,96, 99, 159, 222
Silver, David 246
Silver, William 108
Silver, Benjamin 77, 108, 180, 124
Smithson, Thomas 65
Smithson, John 247
Smith, Andrew 246
Smith, John 125
Smith, Dr. John 89
Smith, Rev. Charles 147
Smith, Samuel 107
Smith, Robert 83
Smith, Thos. S. C 175
XV
Smith, Samuel 83-
Smith, Thomas 74
Smith’s Falls 21
Smith, Capt. John 13, 14, 15, 16, 17
Smith, John 17,4
Smith, Paca 256, 276
Smith, William 69, 78, 96, 102, 159, 248, 276
Smith, Alex. Lawson 106, 136, 129
Smith, Winston 158, 271
Smith, Col. William 244, 246, 250, 251
Smithson, Nathaniel 271
Smith, Rev. Charles 156
Smith, Rev. Roger 164
Smithson, William 31, 75, 77, 85, 87, 89, 90, 102, 219,
220, 221, 269, 293
Smith, Basil 73
Smithson, Thomas 75
Smithson, Daniel 78
Spinks, Enoch 38
Spesutia Island 26
Spesutia Church 144, 153, 193, 205
Stewart James 115
Stevenson, John 157
Stokes, Robert 106
Stephens, Rev. Daniel 154-
Streett, Rev. Nicholas 226
Stansbury, Tobias 208
Stump, Henry 217
Stenhouse, Dr. Alexander 147
Stull, W. C 175
St. John’s Parish 44
Stokes, Geo . . 36
Stephens, Rev. Daniel 156
Streett, Thomas 226, 227
Stiles, James 73, 76
Steel, James 89, 266, 267
Streett, Col. John 84, 86, 89, 226, 227, 239, 276
Stevenson, Dr. John 291
Streett, David. 276
Stump, Henry 79
Stump, Herman 217
Stokes, Wm. P 159
Stokes, Wm. B 256-
Stokes, John 158
Stump, John 34, 71, 89, 216, 218, 217, 264
Stump, Frederick 217
Steel, Joseph 124.
Stansbury, Dixon 190
St. Ignatius Church 163,
xvi
Sutton, Samuel 160
Susquehannocks 18, 19, 20
Sutton, Thomas 124
Susquehanna 249
Sweaney, Matthew 116
Taylor, Robert 83
Tate, Andrew 78
Taylor, Thomas 74, 272
Taylor, Charles 75^ 79
Taylor, James 64
Taylor, John 102, 113, 291
Tannehill, Adamson 129
Talbott, James 115
Tait, Charles 187
Tent, Field 178
Thorn, Elder Francis 189
Thompson, Thomas A
Thompson, Daniel 71
Thomas, James 266, 267
Thurston, Thomas 29
Toy, Joseph 78
Tolley, E. Carvil 74, 105
Tolly, John 266
Tollenger, George 107
Tolley, Walter 221
Tolley, Thomas 44
Trapnell, James 80
Trundle, Robert 74, 279
Tredway, John 71
Trapp Church 153
Turner, Thomas 174
Turner, Andrew 83
Turner, Wm. F 157, 160
Turner, John 247
Tyson, Nathan 196
Underhill, Thos 70
Upper Node Forest 166
Utie, Col. Nathaniel 24
Utie, John 24
Vandiver, Robt. R 157
Varney, James 157
Vance, John 1 72
Vansickle, Hy 75, 9°
War of 1812 234
Watkins, John 190
Ware, John 115
Warner, Jos 195
Waters, Charles 84
Wareham, John 157
xvii
Warfield, Henry
Walker, James..
Ward, Joshua...
Wallace, Samuel
Watters, Henry
Wann, John....
Ward, Edward 102,
Ward, Richard 122, 266,
Watson’s Island
Watters, Godfrey 84,
Walker, Geo
Ward, Ben
Wetheraii, wiiiiam g!
Wesley, John
Wells, Wm
Webster, Isaac 33, 96, 152,
Webster, M
Webb, Wm... 61, 96, 97, 99, 102, 121, 222, 224, 265, 267,
Wells, Richard
Weston, John
West, Jonathan
West, Nathaniel. 72, 73,
Wetheraii, James 83,
Weyman, Rev. Robt
Welch, T
Wells, Col. George..
Webb, John, Jr
West, Geo
Webster, Richard. . .
Webb, Samuel 265,
Webster, Capt. John A 234,
Webster, Sam’l 90, 230,
Wetherel, Henry 66,
Webster, J. Lee 33, 106,
Webster, James
West, Rev. William 95, 150,
Webster, John 37,
Whitaker, Wm. P. C
White, Plains
Whitefield, Rev
Wheeler, Frank
Wheeler, Bennett
Whiteford, Dr. Hugh 89, 121,
White, Bishop Wm
Wheeler, Ignatius 32, 75, 85, 97, 121, 224, 265, 267,
Whitaker, Abraham 96, 102,
Whitaker, Platt
Whitaker, John
Wheeler, Thomas
xviii
75
80
246
156
65
246
154
267
23
271
271
261
230
186
74
230
153
282
25
7i
1 16
115
276
156
246
43
121
171
230
267
237
271
295
152
105
154
231
251
137
177
225
106
276
205
283
284
259
124
124
Whiteford, Wm
•
72, 77
Whitaker, James
Wheeler, Josias
116
White, Col. Thomas
33, 149, 158,
223, 264, 276
White, Sophia
203
Williams, James W
Wilson, William
87, 189
Wilgus, Jas
123
Wilson, John
173
Winter’s Run
41
Wilmott, Richard
37, 159
Wilson, John
7 1, 281
Wilson, James
7i
Wilson, Wm .
3i
,71, 263, 276
Winder, Wm. H
237
Wilmer, Lambert
Wilson, Henry
75, 201,
209, 217, 263
Wilson, James
Williams, Barrick
258
Wilmer, Rev. James
. ... 156, 154
Wilkinson, Rev. Stephen
. ... 148, 156
Williams, R. H
180
Wilson, Archibald
122
Wood, John
114
Wood, James
W orthington, J ohn
• • . • 152, 273
Worthington, Chas
122
Wysong, J. B
Yellott, John
Yellott, George
214
Young, William
96, 124, 105
xix
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t
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